Cash, CCTV system and camera stolen from voluntary group's Bradley Road nurseries

"WE will keep on digging and never be stumped."

That was the defiant message from volunteers and organisers of a social enterprise which supports some of the most needy people in our community.

The Green Futures nurseries in Bradley Road were broken into by thieves who stole cash tins, a CCTV system and camera and carried them off in a large pink shoulder bag.

Volunteers were shocked when they arrived at work at the nurseries at 8am yesterday to discover the office windows smashed and the main door ripped from its hinges.

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The raid happened overnight between 6pm on Wednesday and 8am yesterday.

The office with the CCTV equipment was also ransacked. Chief executive Carol Prendergast said: "We are all really gutted, but we are not going to be downcast.

"This has shown us just how much support there is for the group.

"Volunteers have rallied round and repaired the damage so there is no disruption to our work feeding those most in need in the community and keeping the supplies going."

She added: "The worst feeling is thinking it could be someone who we have helped in the past. They knew where the cash tins were.

"It is potentially someone who knows the project. We have had to spend the day fixing everything when we could be getting more food to people who need it."

Mrs Prendergast said she was upset at the theft from the office of her treasured large pink handbag. It was a gift from her husband for her birthday in June when she began her new job at Green Futures.

She has also alerted nearby Bradley residents.

Food box manager Sean Atkinson said: "It is a real shame when you try to help the most disadvantaged in society and someone has bitten the hand that feeds them.

"Someone will know people who have suddenly come into a bit of money and a large pink handbag is going to be easily spotted."

Horticultural adviser Elaine Atkinson, chairman of Grimsby In Bloom, said: "It is a slur on the community that someone would do this to an organisation like Green Futures. We are trying to improve the lives of people in North East Lincolnshire.

"But we won't be beaten and will rally round."

The social enterprise which ploughs all its money into the service, supplies local produce for Cleethorpes Discovery Centre, The Fishing Heritage Centre, Bradley Football Development Centre, Café Central at Grimsby Library and Café In The Park at People's Park.

Green Futures serves as a centre of production, education and inclusion for the local community.

The centre also provides training and advice about healthy eating. Visitors and volunteers are able to learn about, and sample, many aspects of sustainable living such as locally grown food, renewable energy, sustainable transport and traditional crafts.

Aside from fruit and vegetables, they also produce homemade jams, preserves, pickles and honey.

Organisers estimated the amount of cash stolen as "a few hundred" pounds.

Mrs Prendergast appealed for support from any security or lighting firm who could install CCTV and lights.

Anyone who can help can contact 01472 870609 or e-mail info@greenfuturesgrimsby.co.uk

Anyone with information about the break-in can contact Humberside Police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 108 of September 6.