CALLOUS thieves raided an organisation set up to help the learning disabled, leaving its users devastated.

The thieves broke into the premises of Advocacy in Darlington and stole four laptops that were donated less than a week ago.

The organisation, which provides one-to-one advocacy support, socialising opportunities and activities for people with learning difficulties, planned to use the laptops to help their clients develop vital skills including hand-to-eye coordination.

Project manager Chris Close said it would be impossible for the laptops to be replaced as the organisation, self funded by Mr Close and his wife Barbara, could not afford to buy new ones and those stolen had not yet been insured.

He said: “We are all devastated about this. The laptops were going to be really useful in giving people with learning disabilities the chance to play games, make music and develop their hand to eye coordination.

"It is such a sadness that somebody could be so sick that they would break in and take them. This is the kind of thing that kicks the proverbial out of you. It is gut wrenching.”

DC Phil Collingwood, who is investigating the incident, said: “This is a very caring organisation. Some of their clients cannot understand the concept of taking things and it has a big impact on them.

"Some are also not the kind of people who can easily go to a library or somewhere to use such equipment. This incident is very impacting, not just for them but for the staff who are doing very hard work with very little money.

“I would appeal for the persons responsible to come forward or just return the computers. Although I would like to see those responsible caught, I am more interested in getting this equipment back than in securing a conviction.”

Anyone with information relating to the theft at the organisation’s premises on the Cleveland Trading Estate should contact DC Collingwood of Darlington Police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.