A COMMUNITY has stepped up to fundraise for a project set up to tackle loneliness after crooks stole power tools worth £3,500.

Maldon Men’s Shed were left gutted after thieves broke into their base on London Road and took around 20 to 30 different pieces of equipment between April 10 and April 12.

The project aims to tackle social isolation by creating community spaces where participants can work on schemes together.

Within days a Just Giving page was set up to help raise money to support the team and buy new tools.

In just seven days £645 has been raised surpassing the £500 target – with one anonymous donor giving £250.

The team has already received six donations of items and contractors have come forward to help with security.

Last week Maldon Men’s Shed was presented with he town mayor’s award for service to the community at the Maldon Town Council annual meeting.

Mayor Richard Miller also gave the project £250 from the mayor’s charitable fund.

The team were in the process of making a new case for the town mace when the thieves struck.

Concerned members feared they would not be able to get the work done before Mr Miller’s year in office ended.

Phil Kinsman, chairman, said: “We were going to make a new case for the town mace commissioned by the mayor but that's had to go on hold for a while until we have re-equipped the workshop.

“We've had six donations of tools, fixings and timber from people locally and our JustGiving page has raised £645 to date.

“Two local contractors are also helping us out with security.

“We've been overwhelmed by people's support and generosity so it's turning into a positive after seeming so disheartening last week.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maldonshed.