Community rallies round Royal British Legion club after £7,500 raid
It was a devastating raid on a Royal British Legion club in the Black Country, which even put the venue's future at risk - but it has now bounced back thanks to the overwhelming support from the community.
More than £3,000 has been raised for Kingswinford's Royal British Legion club in the wake of the shocking burglary.
Raiders stole £2,500, smashed gaming machines and caused £5,000 worth of damage in the attack on the club at the end of March.
Club members say they have been 'overwhelmed' by support from the public with around £3,000 in donations and support.
Members today thanked people for their generous support as they hosted a fundraising walk weeks after a devastating burglary.
Dozens of people turned out on Bank Holiday Monday to hold a fundraising walk to bring in vital cash to help the club and also the annual Poppy Appeal.
People began contacting club members asking for ways they could help after burglars wreaked havoc inside the legion's headquarters, in Summerhill.
Soon the idea of the walk was established with other community groups including the Air Training Corp and Army Cadets among those to take part.
Group members lined up outside the club yesterday morning before setting off for the 25 mile walk around Kingswinford with stops at the other clubs in Swindon and Kinver.
Club treasurer Bob Townsend said: "The club has bounced back so well after the burglary. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have had.
"Something very, very positive came out of this because we have become more of a part of the community and people know more about us now."
Royal British Legion members feared they would be unable to continue to run the club if they could not boost security at the 65-year-old site.
But since then two security firms - GCG and D&M Electricals - generously donated a CCTV system and a installation free of charge.
Cash being raised from the event will be spilt between the Poppy Appeal and additional security measures including improved doors and windows.
Members say they are sickened by the break-in
A gang stole the one-ton safe holding £2,500 cash as well as taking £2,000 worth of alcohol from the club.
They also caused around £5,000 worth of damage to the premises. The thieves also took a 42-inch TV along with charity money from a lottery and raffle.
Rooms were ransacked, doors wrenched off their hinges and the steel safe prised away.
It was screwed to the floor of an office at the club used as a base for the local British Legion branch, which raised a record £44,551 for the Poppy Day Appeal last November.
