 | Anglers have been left devastated after burglars pinched at least £1,000-worth of their equipment. Members of Willenhall-based Boaters Fishing Club were left without any of their fishing gear after being targeted during a late-night raid. |
Secretary Neil Powell said the club now faces months of hard work to persuade funding organisations across the UK to hand over more cash to keep the club afloat.
He said: "It was devastating really because we had worked so hard over the last few years getting grants to purchase this stuff, and the generosity of the public who donated. It's all gone.
"As a club, it just means we have got to do that hard work again to get the money to replace it all. Everybody is gutted but everybody is of the opinion that we are not going to let it beat us. One way or another we will carry on."
The criminals fled Willenhall Memorial Park with the club's equipment after snapping the lock to a storage unit the week before Christmas, Mr Powell said.
Seven sets of chest waders, 10 pair of new wellington boots, seven fishing rods, a tripod, umbrellas, maps and nets were just some of the items taken.
Self-employed angling coach Mr Powell said he will offer equipment he already has to the club until members are able to replace all the stolen gear. But without his help, Mr Powell said the club may have struggled to continue its sessions for children during the school holidays.
It has already provided about 200 sessions to 120 youngsters wanting to get involved with fishing since taking the club over from council bosses.
Mr Powell, who lives in Wednesbury, added: "It's heartbreaking. It's taken us two years to get to this point and the club is going really well. Locals are joining in."
He said: "It was devastating really because we had worked so hard over the last few years getting grants to purchase this stuff, and the generosity of the public who donated. It's all gone.
"As a club, it just means we have got to do that hard work again to get the money to replace it all. Everybody is gutted but everybody is of the opinion that we are not going to let it beat us. One way or another we will carry on."
The criminals fled Willenhall Memorial Park with the club's equipment after snapping the lock to a storage unit the week before Christmas, Mr Powell said.
Seven sets of chest waders, 10 pair of new wellington boots, seven fishing rods, a tripod, umbrellas, maps and nets were just some of the items taken.
Self-employed angling coach Mr Powell said he will offer equipment he already has to the club until members are able to replace all the stolen gear. But without his help, Mr Powell said the club may have struggled to continue its sessions for children during the school holidays.
It has already provided about 200 sessions to 120 youngsters wanting to get involved with fishing since taking the club over from council bosses.
Mr Powell, who lives in Wednesbury, added: "It's heartbreaking. It's taken us two years to get to this point and the club is going really well. Locals are joining in."
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