Pretty as a picture - Ashburton's Varwell Field ground ready for a day's play

ASHBURTON have launched a £1,000 fund-raising appeal for help towards repairs and replacements after their club was targeted by burglars three times in a week.

Two attempts to break into the pavilion failed, but it was third time lucky for the raiders. The break-in was discovered on Monday night. Bar stock was either stolen, smashed or wasted, equipment tampered with, ground machinery broken and damage done to doors and windows.

Sinks were blocked and taps left running, flooding the clubrooms and causing water damage to carpets and surrounding areas.

Lloyd WhiteClub officials estimate it will cost £2,000 or more to repair the damage on top of the hours of volunteer labour time needed to restore fixtures and fittings to their previous condition.

Lloyd White, a player and committeeman at Ashburton, said: “The club is now appealing to the wider community in a bid to be in a position to repair and replace the damaged goods and ground machinery.

“Volunteers and the community rallied together on Monday night to start the clean-up process and remove any valuable goods in case of further disruption.”

Jerry Crouch, the club chairman, said for hard-working volunteers who run and maintain the club the break-in and vandalism is heartbreaking.

He added: “The vandalism is completely needless and we are working closely with the police to ensure things like this don’t happen again.

“However, we will continue to rebuild and my thanks go out to those who are able to support the club in any way.”

White said high on the list of improvements needed is an enhanced security system.

“We would like to be able to invest in some high-profile CCTV and surveillance equipment,” said White.

“Additionally, sensors and alarms would ensure the criminals that have caused this disruption would no doubt be deterred in the future.

“The club also needs to pay for a replacement back-door, including an upgrade to all padlocks, door hinges/brackets and overall security.”

White said a crowdfunding scheme has been started in the hope of raising £1,000 towards the repair costs.

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/acc-break-in to make a donation.

“All help will be greatly appreciated to ensure Ashburton CC can continue to help support the local and wider community,” said chairman Crouch.

Anyone with information which may help police should contact them by dialling 101, quoting CR068470/17, or contact Crouch on 07762 183 652.