CRUEL thieves have left members of Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets heartbroken after they broke into their headquarters and wrecked the newly refurbished centre.
Now they are appealing to local businesses to see if they could help them repair the damage.
The unit, based in Upper Crossgate Road, Park Farm, was burgled between Saturday, August 8 and Monday, August 10.
The Sea Cadet unit had laptops and petty cash stolen, and considerable damage done to their offices and classrooms.
Spokesperson for the charity, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) James Sanders, Royal Navy Reserve, said: “We are heartbroken to find our unit in this state.
“We have just spent days painting and cleaning the unit to ensure that we have the best training space for our cadets.
“This has just ruined all our efforts. It will now cost us thousands of pounds to repair and improve the unit, and this is money that we simply do not have.”
Now the unit is pleading with local businesses to help the charity.
Chairman David Schroeder said: “We need to invest in our unit to ensure we are able to continue for years to come.
“We need community help to ensure we continue to offer fantastic opportunities to our cadets, and be able to offer the young people of Redditch and Bromsgrove a good training facility.”
Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets are members of the UK’s biggest maritime organisation and aims to give young people the best possible headstart in life.
They give youngsters access to a wide range of skills and opportunities including Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Btecs as well as adventure training and character building.
West Mercia police are appealing for witnesses to dial 101 and quote the incident number – 06445 100815.
Anyone who can help the cadets should email Sub Lt Sanders on [email protected] .
