Around £4,500 worth of equipment was stolen from a sports group after thieves “ransacked” its garage.

Sport On Your Doorstep has been forced to temporarily stop some of its sessions after the kit was taken from the lock-up in Chatham.

The non-profit organisation hosts free sports activities for youngsters across Kent to try and keep them out of trouble but the break-in will impact what it can put on.

Director Mark Roughsedge said: “The whole reason we exist is to engage young people and families in those underserved communities.

“We have to take the sport right to the heart of those communities to remove as many barriers as we can and one of those is cost.

“For us bringing the equipment and coaching staff means the barrier of cost and access to provision is removed.

“Without the equipment that allows us to pop up in those communities leaves us in a difficult position.”

On April 10, Mark went to the garage in Shipwrights Avenue, Chatham, to collect equipment when he noticed it had been broken into.

Around £4,500 worth of equipment including archery tags, dodgeballs and rugby balls, have been stolen.

Sports coach and area lead for Medway, Aaron Kempster, added: “I was absolutely gutted. Any theft is disappointing, but even more so when you are trying to help other people.

“It is a shame really because it is all sports equipment for the local community.

“I think people are disappointed and upset because it is our community we are trying to deliver sessions to and it has happened here.

“It is not like this equipment is somewhere else, it is within the community and it is a real shame that it has happened here.

“We are out there delivering sessions to our young people to hopefully prevent them from being involved in any of these sorts of activities.

“If we cannot get out and engage with people and try to change their mindsets then they may go down the wrong path which is what we do not want.

“Hopefully we can still be out there and deliver those sessions to change their minds.”

Priti Vani’s two children attend sessions put on by Sport On Your Doorstep and she also volunteers with the group.

She said: “It is gutting for the children and especially for the coaches who put so much time and effort into what they do for them. It is heartbreaking.”

Police were called to reports of a burglary on April 10 where it was alleged sports equipment had been stolen.

No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.