'Thieves won't stop us'

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'Thieves won't stop us'

By Lynsey

A STRETFORD-based charity, which provides a social escape for

children with Asperger Syndrome, has had thousands of pounds of

computer equipment stolen during a Sunday night break-in.

But they are determined the heartless criminals will not stop their

work Volunteers arrived at the Autistic Society Greater Manchester

Area (ASGMA) headquarters on Chester Road on Monday morning to find

thieves had made away with goods to the value of around £5,000.

This included brand new computers from a suite only opened last

week, LCD screens, four Xbox and Playstation 2 consoles and around

60 games.

They were all taken from rooms used by the Aspirations Project,

which supports people aged 10-25 with Asperger Syndrome - an

autistic spectrum disorder characterised by a lower social capacity.

The charity has also discovered it will have to foot the bill for

the non-office equipment itself, at a cost of more than £3,000,

because it is not covered by insurance.

Halliwell who runs the Aspiration Project, said: " This is

absolutely devastating. Our new computer and games rooms were

already proving a great hit with our members and the new equipment

will be greatly missed.

" But we are determined that this will not stop our work and we will

be open for our members as usual even if we have to beg and borrow

some equipment until we can replace everything that has been stolen. "

During the break in, it appears the burglars, who broke down a

security door at the back of the property, worked their way through

the building selecting the newest or most expensive items.

The society relies on grants and donations, such as the £1,000

Greater Manchester Police Authority grant used to refurbish the

computer suite last week, to pay for their facilities.

Insp Alan Wearden, said: " It's a despicable offence to pick on

people who are less fortunate than themselves.

" We would be interested to hear from anyone who has been offered

computers that may have been stolen. "

Anyone with information should contact Stretford CID on 0161 856

7640.

To make a donation to the society call a or on 0161 866

8485.

lroberts@...

9:15am Thursday 2nd November 2006