Yobs target new cancer centre

HEARTLESS yobs caused £2,500 damage when they smashed into a cancer help centre.The break-in happened at the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre, in Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, just 14 months after its foundations were laid.The incident happened between 6pm on Saturday and 12.45pm on Sunday, when the offenders gained entry to the premises by smashing the rear door of the centre.Nothing was stolen, but there is evidence that cupboards and other areas of the centre had been searched.Charlie Nightingale, the centre's project manager, said it was an awful setback.Only last week it was announced the new centre was going to be officially opened by a member of the Royal Family within a couple of months.He said: "Whoever did it has climbed over the back fence and got in through the back door. The door has been smashed and ruined and will cost us more than £2,500 to replace.
"We have fought our way through this centre's project, from raising the money to lay the foundations, to continue to raise money to pay for the finishing touches, and this makes it a sad knock back."Police seem to think the break-in was for either money or drugs but we do not have anything like that on the premises."Despite not being officially open, the centre is already catering for about 150 people.It has a special day room and therapy centre to enable volunteers to provide support, counselling and complementary therapies to those suffering from cancer, or family members of people suffering from the illness.The centre was founded 21 years ago and was based at Mill Road Baptist Church, but expanded to include more facilities and was given a new home when David Rayner, owner of Scotsdales Garden Centre, donated a plot of land near his business for the cancer centre to relocate.Ann Dingley, centre co-ordinator, said: "This is so, so sad. We have a beautiful centre here and hundreds of kind-hearted people have made it happen. Those involved with the centre and those who use it are heartbroken, and cancer sufferers will be asking - how could anyone do this to us?"A police spokeswoman appealed for anyone with any information about the break-in to contact them on 0845 4564564, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.