Village vandals hit childcare charity

Staff at Childcare in Manor Road found toys thrown across the playground, rude words and drawings on the children’s blackboard and a canopy torn down, on Friday morning.

On Thursday, extensive damage to the Scouts HQ in Station Road was discovered including graffiti, smashed windows and smoke damage.

Childcare manager Fiona Greatorex said: “They had ripped down a canopy in our outdoor area which protects the children from the sun. They then rubbed it along the fence to cause as much damage as possible.

“They also ripped the children’s vegetables they had planted out.

“We are a not for profit organisation, the same as the Scouts. The damage is reflected on the local community. It’s not as bad as what happened to the Scouts though. I saw the picture on Luton Today and was horrified.”

The Scouts had been fundraising for a new hut but had recently decided to refurbish the current hut instead as they couldn’t afford a new one.

Now they face spending the hard-earned funds on demolition or extensive repair work.

Scouts Group Leader Karen Calder said: “It’s almost cruel. You can’t imagine anyone would want to do this.

“There are rude words we don’t want the children to see and they’ve lit a fire to keep themselves warm but they didn’t put it out when they left so there is smoke damage. They have destroyed it. I just can’t understand it, it’s heart-breaking.”

Villagers have rallied round the Scouts and Childcare and offered to raise money for repairs.

Sweet Perfection in Toddington is running a name the bunny competition at £1 a go with all proceeds going to the Scout Hut.

The Play Stop Gym in Toddington and AJ Autos have both offered to donate money.

If you would like to help please go to http://www.toddingtonscoutgroup.org.uk.