Help is needed to fix-up a community hub in Hatfield that caters for children with autism after it was destroyed during a cruel act of vandalism.
The Hatfield Connect premises above Pump Gyms, in Beaconsfield Court, was targeted by yobs in January.
Offenders broke in, vandalised walls and furniture, stole items, littered, ripped out security cameras and lights from the ceiling, barricaded all the exits and kicked walls down.
The main area, which also received the worst damage, was due to be a space for children on the autism spectrum or who have ADHD to enjoy, feel safe, make friends, and have fun in.
Angela Gaughan set up the group - Potential Kids - and was looking forward to running the group from the Hatfield Connect premises.
She had always dreamed of starting the group so that children like her nine-year-old son who has autism could have somewhere to go.
The people of Hatfield pulled together and raised nearly £3,000 in a month, which is being used to purchase security devices such as CCTV and locks, replace broken furniture, purchase materials, etc.
Since the ordeal many companies have come forward to offer their services free of charge including the University of Hertfordshire who cleaned the carpets and Pexhurst, based in Welham Green, who are dealing with the partitioning.
Potential Kids is set to launch the week before World Autism Week which runs from March 26 to April 2 but a few more odd jobs need to be carried out before it can open.
Angela said: “We are very thankful to everyone that donated and offered their help.
“We couldn’t accept people’s help straight away as we had to find out what needed to be done, as we don’t own the building this took time.”
If anyone can help with replacing three fire extinguishers, sorting the lighting, changing internal locks, offering cleaning services or donating soft play equipment and toys email Angela at info@potentialkids.org
The website for Potential Kids has also been recently launched, view it at http://potentialkids.org/
Police have confirmed that they are ‘conducting enquiries and actively investigating’ but no arrests have been made.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here