A NORTH East camp hit by three robberies last summer now needs public help to continue operating fully.
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Eden Sanctuary Youth Camp is appealing for donations of money, skills or time to overcome the impact of the break and enter incidents.
Located in Woolshed Valley near Beechworth, the camp offers a range of weekend and school holiday, work and life skills programs, mainly for disadvantaged young people.
Camp director Kathie Tobin said the facility had to cancel a number of events after the break-ins, which saw items like generators, a water pump and an inverter and charger taken. Doors and windows were also damaged.
A not for profit organisation, Eden Sanctuary receives no government funding and relies on community support to keep going.
The site was acquired in 1986 and some old army huts then placed on it.
“Through the programs and the camps there would be thousands that have come through over the 30-year period,” Ms Tobin said.
Many participants are from Warrior Martial Arts, which Ms Tobin is also involved with, and may have joined the classes to assist with behaviour problems.
“It lets out a little bit of stress and anxiety if they’re getting stuck into a bag instead of somebody else or throwing furniture around the room,” she said.
Eden Sanctuary supporters include Commercial Club Albury, Ulysses Club Albury-Wodonga and Border Bike Fest.
Ulysses Club branch president Rex Beard said he was happy to help somebody willing to assist challenging youngsters.
“She takes them on and through doing a little bit of work out at the camp that she’s got there, life skills and the like, she’s turned a few lives around,” Mr Beard said.
Ms Tobin said the ongoing maintenance of Eden Sanctuary remained difficult.
“At this point we’ve got a bus that’s now out of registration and insurance,” she said.
“We have hot water units that can be put in, but we have no plumber to put them in, there’s guttering there that we need to put up.
“Because of lack of funding, we have an outdated computer, we need to update all that so people can actually get on to us, we’re a bit behind the times.”
The camp would welcome any tradespeople able to help or businesses willing to supply materials.
“We just appreciate anyone who’s got a heart for what we’re doing, if they can help,” Ms Tobin said.
“It’s not too small, whatever they would like to do.
“We would be very grateful.”
Anyone wishing to support Eden Sanctuary Youth Camp can contact Ms Tobin on 0407 550 960.