Just before new year, burglars smashed their way into a Walthamstow lock-up and made off with thousands of pounds worth of equipment held by our local Wood Street charity group.

The lockup used by Wood Street First was broken into sometime on the evening of Saturday December 30th 2017.

These thieves took equipment including two gazebos, a large 6m x 6m marquee, along with several items of expensive PA and sound equipment, stage lighting systems and video cameras, a lot of which had only recently been acquired by the group. It will cost around £2000 to replace all this equipment.

Wood Street First has been running since 2011, holding inclusive events across the Wood Street ward and supporting other groups to raise money for their charitable ends.

We are only a small group and this sort of thing affects our ability to hold community events.

In December 2017, the group staged its largest and most successful community event in partnership with the Woodside Primary academy consisting of a circus and fair attended by over 1400 people.

This is a big blow to our group, who look to provide events and entertainment for the local community and build community cohesion within the ward.

If we are unable to run our normal schedule of events this will cause so much disappointment and sadness, particularly for the local families and children who have come to look forward to the social and affordable events, projects, activities and workshops throughout the year.

Local Council and businesses help fund the events, although the equipment has to be sourced elsewhere. We are asking for the community and businesses to support us in our endeavours to raise money to replace this equipment.

We thank you for your time and kindness.