Staff at a disability charity say they fear for its future after being targeted by 'heartless' thieves twice in a month.
Wigan and Leigh People First's base was ransacked in February when a gang of men forced their way in and stole a number of safes, laptops and tablets.
Staff at the charity had just finished repairing the damage when they were broken into again last week.
On that occasion, doors and shutters were smashed in while a safe containing petty cash was ripped from the wall and emptied.
Julie Davies, who works for the Golborne-based charity, said staff were 'heartbroken'.
"I cannot understand why they would do this again," she said.
"If you come in this building, it is clear what we do. It is just heartless."
Following the first break-in, in the early hours of February 5, staff worked tirelessly to replace damaged doors and shutters around the former church building.
But all of their hard work was undone last week when thieves struck again.
After smashing their way into the building between 3am and 5am on Thursday, February 27, they used a crow bar to lever a safe from the wall.
They even stole a vacuum cleaner, which Ms Davies discovered was missing during the lengthy clean-up process.
"The whole team worked so hard to get everything together after the last time," she explained. "It is just demoralising.
"It is not just what we have lost. We are having to spend more money and time to make the building more secure.
"We are only a small charity."
Founded in 2008, Wigan and Leigh People First supports adults with learning difficulties and offers a range of activities, drop in sessions, workshops and social opportunities.
Four employees and five volunteers work for the charity and see about 30 people a week.
Staff fear the future of the charity could be at risk if they are targeted again.
It is estimated that the cost of the damage and items stolen stretches into thousands of pounds.
"It is taking away from our business," said Ms Davies.
"We work with some people who might be really socially isolated so this is a safe space where they can mix with their peers.
"For some, this is the only opportunity they get to do that.
"We are never going to have loads of spare money in the bank because it is a struggle to get the funding we need.
"I cannot guarantee we will be here in 12 months time.
"When the margins are so tight, it does not take a lot of money to tip the balance."
Ms Davies says she believes the break-in is part of a spate in the surrounding area.
"There appears to be a cluster in the local area," she explained.
"I think they are targeting small businesses because we cannot afford these security measures.
"We have been here for eight years and had no issues before."
The charity reopened on Friday after shutters and doors were replaced and gates installed.
A security camera has also been fitted outside the building.
A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for improved security measures and cover the costs of what has been stolen and damaged.
.png?w=600)
