STAFF and punters at the Jovial Monk in St Andrew’s Ridge have shown their boundless generosity by handing over a cheque for almost £3,000 to the Swindon and District Open Door Centre.

The Gorse Hill-based centre, a charity which helps people with learning disabilities, was last year targeted by thieves twice in the space of just two months.

The raids left the charity £2,000 out of pocket and in a state of disbelief that someone would do such a thing.

After the second break-in last October, a devastated Pat Winning, the centre’s deputy manager, said: “It seems incredible that [people] would behave in such a terrible way to a little charity that is fighting for its life, for people that have so little in their lives.”

“We have been going for 31 years and in 31 years we have never been burgled until the last few weeks. It is just greedy, selfish people with no regard for other human beings.”

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

They provide activities in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment and are entirely reliant upon the financial generosity of members of the public.

But people in St Andrews Ridge have rallied round and, after a huge fundraising drive, on Friday night were able to present a cheque for £2,800 to the charity.

Debbie Young, tenant at the Jovial Monk, said: “I was gutted, absolutely gutted for them when I heard about the burglaries. How can anybody do something like that?

“Although we have managed to raise a good sum of money, it’s frustrating because it isn’t helping them to grow, it’s only replacing what was lost.”

Debbie first heard about the centre when the family members of volunteers came into the pub, and she knew straight away that she had to help.

“Every year we support a different charity and we were asked if we would consider the Open Door Centre for this year,” she said.

The pub has spent the previous months organising fundraising activities such as golf days and auctions.

The auctions proved hugely popular, with people donating such items as TVs and top-quality laptops. Someone even offered the use of their private holiday home in Spain.

“It’s amazing to see so much support,” said Debbie. “Everyone just keeps giving. We were blown away and we are really grateful.”

For more information on the Open Door Centre, log on to www.theopendoorcentre.co.uk or call 01793 512357.