A Bannockburn trauma charity targeted by thieves in a weekend break-in have hailed a campaign to recoup the stolen funds.
Healed Scars was among the tenants affected by the raid in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Bannockburn Business Hub in Quakerfield, losing funds it had raised for a special Hallowe’en themed fundraising night aimed at supporting their work.
The raiders nicked £400 of raffle cash which had been raised for the charity event. It comes as a particular blow for Healed Scars after it had been recently given a £1,000 Lottery grant to help women recovering from abuse and trauma during the pandemic.
However, the community and well wishers have already rallied around the group and have contributed £375 towards an online fundraiser which is looking to recoup the stolen money.
A charity spokesperson told the Observer: “We’re actually just relieved that only the money is gone and the most important thing is that the human information in the computers hasn’t been touched.
“I was out shopping with friends on Saturday evening and then received a call on Sunday morning from the building owner that this had happened and so I drove down here at 9am and every drawer was wrecked and broken - it just looked really bad.
“The damage is terrible but the building owner is looking after us, as are the police who have been amazing. We tried to control things as much as possible so that our services were delivered as normal and I was back with some volunteers on Monday to try and tidy things up.”
Police are still probing the incident, with Healed Scars sharing an image on CCTV of a hooded figure spotted just before the raid.
The charity has also expressed gratitude to those who have already got behind the fundraising efforts.
The spokesperson added: “The money raised already is absolutely amazing, we haven’t had much chance to share it yet but people are just wonderful human beings for deciding to support us.
“We have some financial commitments for organising the charity night, so this money is incredible and we feel so grateful and touched by the response so far.”
To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/recovering-office-break-in-losses-do-good
Local counselling service Better Mind Therapy, also based at the premises targeted in the break-in, shared photos of damage caused by the intruders - including smashed doors.
In a post on their Facebook page, they confirmed their own offices weren’t affected and added: “This has obviously shocked this local business community and we would appeal for any information regarding this.”
Police Scotland said: “Officers were called to reports of a break-in at a premises on Quakerfield, Bannockburn around 8.25am on Sunday, September 26. Enquiries are ongoing.”
