A CHARITY shop has been forced to slash its opening hours and has been hit with a £1,700 repair bill after vandals smashed its front window. 

Bosses at the Aspirations charity shop in London Road, Westcliff, have been left furious after the attack which has had a huge impact 

A CCTV video of the incident shows two men walking along the road before one of them rips a door handle of a neighbouring business before throwing it through the charity shop’s window

Marie Edmonds, who runs the charity, says they are unable to pay the £1,700 that has been quoted to repair the damage, which has also led to the shop closing earlier in the afternoons because of fears of a similar attack.


The vandal launched a door handle into the front window of the shop.The vandal launched a door handle into the front window of the shop. (Image: Marie Edmonds)

 

A fundraiser has now been launched to help pay for the repairs.

She said: “I am heartbroken and so disappointed by this really unnecessary attack.

“We have already paid £260 to have a safety seal put in place and now we’re trying to get a lower quote or some pro bono work. As a small grass roots charity, we simply can’t afford the repairs.

“We also want to get shutters because we don’t want this happening again.

“I just don’t feel safe here anymore and neither do our volunteers. We’re usually open till 5pm but have been closing at around 2pm because we are so afraid."

 

Marie says she is heartbroken by the attack.Marie says she is heartbroken by the attack. (Image: Marie Edmonds)

The charity works with adults who suffer with drug misuse and conduct sessions and meetings for them in a nearby building.

They have helped more than 60 people in their journey of recovery from addiction but fear that this could affect their work.

“We also work with a lot of vulnerable and traumatised adults who have also now been put off or scared from coming in,” said Marie.

“We try to provide a safe environment for people but this has completely ruined it.

“It is quite ironic because the people in the video look like they could really benefit from our services.”

The charity has set up a just giving page for donations to help with the repairs.

The vandalism took place on Sunday, June 16 and has been reported to police. 

To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/marie-edmonds-1719067630168