Building firm beefs up charity’s security for free.

A construction firm has come to the aid of a charity for disabled children by fixing more than £800 worth of damage free of charge.


The Birchwood branch of Strut in the Community, which provides help and support for children and young people with disabilities and special needs, was broken into by criminals in August.

The thieves only managed to escape with £3 in cash and a packet of biscuits but they left the charity with a potentially hefty repair bill after causing massive damage to the shop’s back door.

Fortunately, the Lindum Group construction company has supplied and installed a new reinforced metal door for free, which should go a long way towards preventing future burglaries.

Shop manager Bev Wilkinson said she was grateful for the support.

“It’s fantastic that Lindum has come forward to offer its services for free. We are very thankful,” she said.

“The charity has been victim to a string of break-ins this year, which has forced us to use fund-raising money for building repairs instead of putting it towards the play days and activities we provide for children and young people.

“This time we won’t have to do that, which is great.”

Strut was originally established by Dr Carol Millns after she identified the need to provide extra support for families with children who have special needs.

The charity now supports around 150 children and young people with disabilities every year, and has a total of six shops around Lincolnshire.

Amanda Hayward, office manager at the Lindum Group, explained how when she heard about the incident, she felt compelled to do what she could to help the charity.

“My partner went into the shop to make a donation and overheard the staff talking about what had happened,” she said.

“He then told me and, as I work at a construction company, I felt there was something we could do to help.

“A total of £800 worth of damage was done to the back door so we decided to provide them with a new metal door that will cover these costs.

“It is very unfortunate that a charity such as this has had so many break-ins, as the work they do is invaluable.

“Hopefully, with this new door, they won’t have any more break-ins.”