A CHARITY working to improve the lives of vulnerable adults has been targeted by would-be thieves who caused extensive damage to doors at its headquarters in Richmond.

Just the Job is a social enterprise finding work, training and education for adults with disabilities, specialising in gardening and grounds maintenance, as well as processing waste timber to provide logs for home heating.

Before Christmas, the charity held an open day and sale of wreaths, ornaments and gifts – all made by the vulnerable adult service users – and netted around £650 after members of the public flocked to support the worthy charity.

But on Monday charity staff arrived at the Racecourse Road premises to find its front door damaged beyond repair, and its back door also broken – but thankfully no one got inside the building.

Just the Job manager Steve Biggs said: “We have wanted to thank the public for making our Christmas fair such a success – it was brilliant and it really gave our team members a boost to know the things they had made had helped raise money for Just the Job.

“With the money raised we were thinking of buying a cordless power lawn mower, which are much lighter than petrol ones. It would have made work easier for our team members so would have been a good investment for us.

“Instead we have to spend it on a new front door and repairs to the back door – it feels like one step forward and two steps back, it’s frustrating.”

Mr Biggs said it was also disheartening for the service users of Just the Job, after seeing their hard-earned cash go on repairs.

He said: “At least they didn’t succeed in getting inside, so our members weren’t too distressed by having to see any mess inside.

“But they understand that the money they raised from the Christmas fair will have to go towards fixing the doors and they are upset.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Police are investigating reports of an attempted break-in at a premises on Racecourse Road, Richmond, and the doors were damaged after offenders tried to prise them open.

“The incident is believed to have taken place between 5pm on Friday, January 8 and 9am on Monday, January 11.

“Police are urging anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101, selecting option 2 and asking for Alex Roche. Please quote reference number NYP-11012016-0092.

“You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.”