Workers gives cash boost to Sunderland charity left devastated by thieves

Youth worker Lisa Wilson-Riddell with some of the youngsters at The Box Youth Project where thieves cut through metal barried to steal the van.

Staff at a Wearside firm have dug deep to raise cash for a children's charity targeted by thieves.

Children and staff at Sunderland’s Box Youth Project, were left devastated when thieves stole their new van, which had cost them £8,500.

The project, which does fantastic work with young people and the community, said they couldn’t believe anyone would do something like that to a charity.

Nathan Haley (front left) apprentice at Liebherr presents a cheque for Â£834 to Bradley Ford Stubbs from the Box Youth Project.

The theft happened in September and raiders cut through two sets of padlocked gates with an angle grinder to take the van, which young adults, many with special needs, used to carry out work in the community to raise cash for the charity’s activities.

Lisa Wilson-Riddell, the charity’s youth and community worker, said everyone, including all the children, was left very upset by the theft.

In a bid to give the charity and the children a boost, staff at crane manufacturer Liebherr, invited a group of young people to spend the morning at the plant and also handed over a cheque for £834 which they had raised for the charity.

Lisa said: “Liebherr has worked with us in the past, their apprentices have helped out here.