A BORDERS charity has made a desperate appeal for grass cutting and other gardening equipment, machinery and hand tools after ‘callous’ thieves stole equipment valued at £20,000 from their compound in Hawick’s Weensland Road over the weekend.

Also stolen during the raid was a white transit van with the Borders Green Team's logo on it and a flatbed trailer.

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The Green Team is a social enterprise which provides employment and training for adults with learning disabilities in the Scottish Borders.

The theft has resulted in cancelled appointments and staff have asked their clients to “bear with them” at this time.

A spokesperson for the Borders Green Team Enterprise posted on social media: “The equipment that was stolen was required for our contract work.

“I'd like to ask if our client base could bear with us while we try to organise replacement gear. Our staff members will be in touch to advise of any changes to your scheduled work.

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“For a small charity such as ours, this is a huge blow. Not just financially but as a service provider. We know our service is valued by our service users and their carers.

“Unfortunately, we have had to cancel support for tomorrow. We will be in touch to arrange their return as soon as we can.

“As I said, this is a huge blow. Our staff and Board have worked hard to build our business side and provide a "real" experience for our service users after the pandemic. We have all worked hard to keep the Team going in tough economic conditions.

“We were finally getting somewhere. To have all of this put in jeopardy by someone's callous actions is difficult to comprehend.

“Please bear with us over the coming days. We will be in touch. We will get to your gardens as soon as we can.

A crowdfunding page is available for anyone who would like to donate.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

A spokesperson for the force said: "If you have heard or seen anything suspicious, please contact us on 101 and quote incident number 2303 on the 6th of August, 2023.

"Alternatively, If you have any information about this, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org"