Burglary puts football club's preparations in jeopardy

CCTV footage showed thieves stealing the club's lawnmower and other gardening equipment

A football club has launched a GoFundMe appeal after its lawnmower was stolen.

The ride-on mower was taken from Buxted Football Club, in Framfield Road, Uckfield, East Sussex, about 00:30 BST on 21 July.

CCTV caught the thieves loading the mower, a strimmer and other gardening equipment into a van over an hour later, damaging the club's gate and garage in the process.

The club said the theft demonstrates "the lack of respect shown to all the hardworking volunteers and the total disregard for someone else’s property".

The thieves gained access by cutting through a front gate and puling the garage door off its hinges.

The club's statement said: "Our volunteers have worked tirelessly during the summer to improve the grounds for the use of everyone and prepare the pitch for the start of the football season.

"Unfortunately, without our equipment we are no longer able to do this.

"As a non profit club and pavilion charity, we have limited funds available and are desperately looking for help and support to get the club back on track as quickly as possible - the grass and weeds still continue to grow."

The GoFundMe appeal, which has a target of £8,000, has so far raised just over £1,000.

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