HEARTBROKEN staff at an Evesham training centre, which supports people with a learning disability into work, have spoken out after heartless vandals went on the rampage in one of their buildings.
Working World chiefs were left devastated after they discovered the vandalism on Monday (October 15) which included graffiti on the walls, paint thrown everywhere, broken windows, doors and walls smashed, urine on the floor and light sockets smashed off the walls.
Wheelchairs were also stolen during the raid which is believed to have happened on Sunday evening and Helen Hurdman, project manager at the Woodlands venue, told the Observer the attack had caused considerable upset among her team.
“It’s shocking, it’s disgusting what they have done. The abuse written on the walls referred to our clients so this is not just some random vandalism. Whoever did this clearly knows what we do here and that’s what hurts the most,” she said.
Vandals targeted the temporary building which is used by members to restore furniture and for storage. Costumes used by Working World for town events such as the Evesham Carnival have been destroyed by vandals.
“The only blessing I guess is they haven’t really seen the damage because there is no need for them to go in there on a daily basis,” Helen said.
Despite the attack, the project manager revealed she would be prepared to forgive the attackers if they wished to visit the centre after facing justice.
“I’d happily have them down individually to meet the volunteers and our clients because all of the people here are so welcoming,” she said.
“If we could just get one person to change their lives or even just their opinion of the people and the work we do would be something.”
A Go Fund Me fund-raising page set up in the hours after the attack has already raised in excess of £3,000 for the centre and Helen said staff had been left overwhelmed by the response of the local community.
“It’s been amazing the support we have had since Monday, messages of support have come in from all over and so many people are raising money for us,” she said.
“I can’t thank them all enough because it does restore your faith in humanity.”
Offers of help have flooded in and Working World staff will be on site today (Friday) to empty the contents of the room into a skip donated by Pete Bott Skip Hire in Middle Littleton.
Anyone who can help the centre can e-mail [email protected] or call 07966 922223 for more.
Visit www.gofundme.com/working-world-evesham to donate.
Anyone with information on the raid is asked to call 101.
