Well-wishers have rallied round after a community-spirited company was targeted in a £8,000 raid.

Thieves stole specialist tools including a generator and trashed the workshop and office equipment at Roots Timber Reuse.

Based in Stoney Lane near Rochester Airport, it uses waste wood from major building developers to make items to sell to the public or donate to charities.

The community interest, not-for-profit firm, also contributes leftover items to prisons and schools for craft workshops.

The overnight break-in on Friday, April 23 greatly impacted its operation because it was left with no power or specialist tools.

But thanks to £2,220 worth of donations from a fundraising page and a £600 contribution from the Co-op supermarket's community fund, the company is up-and-running.

Administrator Emma Ashley said: "We are so thankful to everyone who has helped us get back on the road and do what we do, giving back to the community."

The stolen generator was worth £1,700, while several saws valued at £200 each, drills, a sander and a grinder were also taken.

The raiders also smashed doors, windows and took keys to vans.

Director Lee Corrigan said as the yard was isolated and situated in woodland, CCTV could only capture shadowy figures loading their stash.

At the time, after being forced to close during lockdown, he said: "This is a kick in the teeth for us."

He has since stepped up security and restored the electricity to the site.

Ward councillor Alex Paterson (Lab) liaised with the supermarket giant to get the cash.

He said: "The thugs responsible for such mindless vandalism don't represent our community – and I'm impressed by the way the people of Rochester and beyond have pulled together to show them that they won't win.

"I put my friends at the Co-op in touch with Roots, hoping they'd be able to help in some way, but I didn't imagine for a moment that they'd be able to make such a generous, game-changing donation."

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