North East cancer support charity sets-up fundraiser after burglary at their support centre
Around £60,000 worth of damage was caused to FACT cancer support charity in Gateshead
A North East cancer charity is appealing for support after their centre was broken into causing £60,000 worth of damage.
The charity FACT told Hits Radio North East that it is the first time in almost 16 years they have had to close their service to users.
Joanne Smith, founder and Chief Executive of FACT, who set-up the fundraiser said: "Absolutely devastated to see the amount of damage that has been done in such a short space of time.
"I don't think there are any words that can really say how upsetting it is on so many levels.
"We've just finished renovating this building from an old pub into our support centre. That's been a huge project for us.
"We're a small charity and rely on public support, we don't receive statutory funding."
Joanne continued to say: "It goes beyond walls, doors, materials as it's just a hurtful and senseless situation.
"For the first time in 16 years since I started the charity we had to literally stop delivering services on Friday. We had to tell people that they couldn't come in for their counselling, support groups, fitness sessions, or coffee mornings.
"We've set-up a Just Giving page and hopefully people will be able to support us. We've got an awful lot of things to replace."
Two people have been charged in connection with incident.