Comic Joe Lycett starts fundraising campaign for vandalised Dudley go-karts
Comic Joe Lycett is backing a bid to replace go-karts wrecked by vandals at a Black Country play area – as donations raced towards £1,000 in just days.
Staff at Sycamore Adventure Centre in Dudley, which offers free play sessions for youngsters of all ages, launched an appeal for £3,000 to replace the karts, many of which were left beyond repair after vandals scaled the fence over the weekend.
Having made a donation, Birmingham comedian Joe, who has appeared on TV in the likes of Live At The Apollo, took to his Twitter account to urge his 169k followers to also support the campaign.
Joe said: "I visited Sycamore Adventure just last month as part of my involvement in Comic Relief and had the great pleasure of trying out one of the go-karts with the lovely team.
"They are proper sturdy karts so whoever decided to smash them up must have done it with some conviction, without a thought for the children and young people who won't be able to enjoy them any longer.
"If you can, donate, and if you've got kids, go along – I know the amazing team won't have their high spirits dampened for too long and much fun will continue to be had at their terrific centre."
Joe did not disclose the amount he has donated to help the centre recover from the vandalism, which the police are now investigating.
Keith Rogers, play centre manager, said: "Obviously it was gutting to come in on Monday and see the mindless vandalism that had occurred over the weekend. But the response from the public since then has been incredible. It really does restore your faith in humanity.
"Any donation, however small, will be very gratefully received."
Donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicole-bashford.
