A well-known community garden in County Durham that has worked with schools and nurseries over the years went up in flames over the weekend.
Greenscape Community Garden, in Seaham, County Durham, has launched a fundraiser to help replace materials including toys and books that were burned in a fire on Sunday, July 2.
Images from the decimated site on The Villas Hill Crescent show that a log cabin popular with children and school visitors has been destroyed by the blaze as little remains left.
Read more: House on Warrenport Close in Stockton devastated by fire
@thenorthernecho Damage from the fire at Greenscape Community Garden, Seaham.
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Owners have also mentioned that an apple tree, planted by a visitor to commemorate the loss of a loved one, was also lost in the fire.
Since the incident, those who run the garden have launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise money to restore the cabin and gardens.
The appeal reads: “From the setting up of the project in 2016 we have faced many challenges however, we never thought at any point in time we would have to face this.
“To have your project broken into and thing stolen is one thing but to come in and see all your hard work burnt to the ground in an arson attack is something else.”
It adds: “The garden was set up to engage with the young members of the community to try and steer them away from people that carry out these cowardly attacks on good people trying to do good in our communities.”
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As of Monday, July 3, the appeal has nearly reached its target of £1,500 as funds will be used to replace equipment, books, toys, as well as to rebuild the cabin and its workstations.
The Northern Echo contacted County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Durham Constabulary for a statement.
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
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