A GARDENING charity training disabled people in Newport is trying to raise money to keep the project open after it was ransacked by thieves.

As we reported after the raid, police were called to Bettws allotments on Friday, December 4, after steel shutters had been damaged by thieves who then broke into a container owned by charity Vision 21, which funds a project called Roots at the plot.

Roots instructor Paul Dunn said a JustGiving page has been set up in the attempt to raise the £1,000 stolen in the raid and also to pay for repairs to parts of the container which were broken during the burglary.

“The closure of the project would be devastating to us all here at Roots and we feel it would be a huge loss to the community, so we are trying to encourage people to help us out during these difficult times.”

Since our report on the burglary earlier this month, kind-hearted Argus readers have already been handing in cash donations in person at the allotment.

Mr Dunn added: “We have had dozens of people from the community and all across Gwent come to the allotment wanting to help us out financially, for which we are incredibly grateful.”

Following the break-in, Roots’ Christmas meal was cancelled, but has since been reorganised by Timothy Compton, Bettws Chairman of Communities First, who has paid for it out of his own pocket.

Mr Compton said: “In view of what has taken place, I’ve reorganised the Christmas meal for all involved at Roots because they deserve it for all of the hard work that they do.”

So far the they have raised just over £900 in donations and are hoping to raise another £600.

To donate to the charity please go online and visit www.bit.ly/1kc7I7Y.