Officials at Penrith Cricket Club said the help and support offered since vandals targeted their Tynefield Park ground was humbling.
Police investigating extensive damage to a stone wall, outdoor furniture, a sight screen and portable cabin arrested three boys aged 12 and 13 on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage.
Vandalism which occurred at around 2am on July 5 left one staff member absolutely devastated. But since the incident, the club has been inundated with offers to repair damage and provide other help, while JustGiving page donations today had topped £3,660.
“The response has been remarkable,” said club vice-chairman Bernie Winter. “It is quite humbling to see so many people offer support. Not just club members, volunteers and players; everybody has got involved to some fashion, including the general public — that’s been the big thing.”
Almost half a dozen people had offered to rebuild part of a damaged stone wall alone. Representatives of Penrith Rugby Club had offered to loan garden furniture and one parent had brought ice cream to sell at a junior session to raise extra funds for repairs.
Donations to the JustGiving page had “exceeded what we expected,” said Mr Winter.
Acknowledging the arrests of boys who have been bailed pending further police enquiries, he stated: “What we have to do as a club, as officials, is to distance ourselves from that particular aspect of it and just let the police do their job.
“One of the messages we are trying to promote through our Facebook page is focusing on identifying people who have offered help in various ways, trying to find a way and means of thanking them.
“We have all been taken aback by the generosity of the general public. It has reminded us about how much the club means to the community. It goes to show there is a very good demographic in the town when things like this happen.”
