A CHARITY which was hounded by vandals has received a boost from a local business.
United Churches Healing Ministry (UCHM) offers a large space at the back of its premises for use by local teenagers.
A minority however has made the arrangement a £4,000 drain on their resources.
In a bid to help, Johnson Quarry has stepped in to rebuild a wall which has been badly damaged.
UCHM offers counselling and training services, training programmes and rooms for hire from its base at New Street in Milnsbridge.
Teenagers can use the land at the back on the proviso there are no bikes or cars, that they do not take drugs and use alcohol on the premises and that they leave the front of the building for the clients, many of whom are nervous and traumatised.
Their charity however has not been well received.
Managing director Helga Taylor said: “This year we’ve had around £4,000 of damage including ripped netting, damage to the sports hall roof caused by people climbing on it and graffiti on doors and walls.
“Fires have been lit on the walls and drugs have been taken on the premises and we have had to spend £16 a week cleaning the premises of rubbish and alcohol bottles.
“We’ve even had motorbikes ridden near the front of the building, swearing and threats to the staff and regular damage to the automatic barrier.
“We continue to serve and care for many clients who self refer or who are referred to us by doctors and psychiatrists, as well as those affected by the financial crisis.
“The last straw was when the gate was broken for a third time.
“We had no money to mend it, we were discouraged and at the end of our resources.”
Following queries by the leader of a dancing group at UCHM, Trevor Brittain, Johnson Quarry provided the stone and materials to replace the gated area with a new wall.
Helga said the kindness has helped them carry on, adding: “We have recently purchased another hidden camera which gives clearer images and we are looking forward to prosecuting those who are causing so much devastation to the work of our charity.”
