Edinburgh community centre launch fundraiser after thief steals food parcels meant for city's vulnerable

The tents used to store vital food parcels were trashed. Picture: Magdalene CC

An Edinburgh community centre that delivers food parcels to the city’s vulnerable has warned its services may be disrupted after a shameless thief stole essential supplies as well as children’s toys and bikes.

Workers at Magdalene Community Centre, which is situated in the grounds of Brunstane Primary School in Magdalene, told of their shock after a vandal helped themself to food and equipment while trashing the tents the centre uses to store supplies on Friday night.

Staff at the centre have now launched a fundraiser to raise £1,550 to replace the damage and stolen goods. You can donate here.

In a statement, they wrote: “Hey everyone, unfortunately, we’re having to write this post to make you all aware that we may experience some difficulties accepting donations and manage deliveries of food parcels.

“We are aware many of you rely on this support and we will try to get up and running as soon as possible.

“At some point since last night [Friday, May 22] someone has been in, opened the storage tents and the shed.

“The first issue we have is they have helped themselves to food, supplies and some of the garden toys and bikes. Secondly, the tents are completely destroyed as they have been left open in this wind following the individual's visit.

Staff said they would do their best to get the operation up and running as soon as possible. Picture: Magdalene CC

“This has been reported to the police and we will be following it up, we will be passing on all CCTV. As you can imagine this will make it very difficult to continue without support to get back up and running we will, of course, try our very best so please stick with us.”

The centre offer activities for children, teenagers and adults in normal times. During the Covid-19 lockdown the volunteers at the centre have been helping the local community by providing food packages for those in need.

Youth worker Hannah Johnston told the Evening News the staff were trying their "very best to get operations running as quickly as possible.”

But Ms Johnston was quick to thank the “heartening” support from the public.

She said: “In a very heartening show of support; in one night the Facebook community has raised £830 this will go a long way toward replacing the damaged equipment.”

Ms Johnston explained each week the volunteers receive 500 meals from the Ivy Restaurant which are then delivered to 277 isolated people in the area.

The fundraiser has been backed by Portobello & Craigmillar councillor Mary Campbell.

In a tweet, Cllr Campbell wrote: “Unfortunately Magdalene Community Centre MC has been robbed of supplies they were using to help provide food packages for the community have been stolen.

“They are fundraising to buy replacements for what was stolen here. Please donate if you can.”

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