THIEVES have dealt a heavy blow to a charity which works with people with learning difficulties, breaking into their office and stealing around £2,000.

Staff from the Open Door Centre arrived at their offices at the St Barnabas Church Hall in Gorse Hill yesterday morning to discover they had been burgled overnight.

The gate at the side of the church hall was wide open, as was the window into the charity’s office.

Pat Winning, deputy manager, said: “There is nearly £2,000 gone.

“They’ve taken all our cash tins, raffle money, it’s such an awful thing to happen.

“Every penny we raise is badly needed, there are some really wicked people around.”

The Open Door Centre helps adults living with learning difficulties, making a positive difference to their lives and supporting them as they try to achieve their full potential.

They do that by providing activities in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment – they are only able to achieve that by raising money through generous donations.

As well as taking cash tins, the thieves also made off with bank cards found in the office – one has already been used to withdraw cash.

A bag containing raffle prizes was also taken.

But perhaps the cruellest aspect of the incident is the money that belonged to the charity’s members themselves.

One elderly man who lives with a carer had a tin of money which the charity’s staff used to pay for his taxis to and from the centre – it has all gone.

Another member had been saving for a trip the charity was planning for later in the year and had brought £200 spending money in in an envelope to keep it safe – the burglars took that too.

“It is really hard to believe that someone can steal from people who’ve got so little in their lives,” said Pat.

“That elderly gentleman hasn’t got another living relative in the world to look after him.

“We’ve been so happy here in Gorse Hill, the community have been so supportive.

“It’s such a shame that all that has been spoilt in minutes.”

Forensics officers from Wiltshire Police visited the scene on Tuesday and investigations are underway.

The charity would welcome any offers of assistance and can be contacted on 01793 512357.