The Pay It Forward Community Shed team are counting the costs of the latest theft and wondering whether the charity can remain open.
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Around 9pm on Monday, thieves smashed their way through a glass sliding door at the Glenroi Avenue premises before stealing a cash register and money.
Karlie Irwin said while less than $200 was taken, it’s estimated the clean up and recovery will cost thousands, which has left the founder questioning whether the charity enterprise can continue.
She believed the theft – the third suffered by the charity in the space of 10 months – was targeted.
“We’ve probably helped these people, and that’s what’s really sad. It’s pretty gut-wrenching,” Mrs Irwin said.
“If we have to face continued robberies and losses, we will have to close eventually, and that would be such a loss.”
VIDEO: Pay It Forward Shed founder Karlie Irwin on Monday’s robbery:
Mrs Irwin said the theft left the team and volunteers with a new sense of vulnerability and further security measures were planned.
“We will be looking at further security features if we are to remain in that location,” she said.
“We can’t keep taking these hits, we just can’t.
“We have to now look at further security measures and that’s another few thousand [dollars]. We may have to fundraise for three months to get that done,” she said.
As well as the cost to secure the building, Mrs Irwin said the robbery created an economic snowball effect, with increased insurance premiums hitting hard.
“Everything we have is given in good will, 90 per cent of what we give is given away to the community,” she said.
“It’s the first time I’ve felt quite defeated.”
However, Mrs Irwin said she and the team would be “keeping the faith” and doing their best to keep it going.
“The volunteers are devastated, they’ve all been in contact,” she said.
“We had a massive working bee on the public holiday, making things better. They’re all massively invested – they feel the impact just as much as anyone.”
Pay It Forward was first robbed in December 2016, when three whipper-snippers were stolen and Mrs Irwin said thanks to community support and donations the charity recovered in 10 days. The shed’s donation tin was taken in a later incident.
This time, the shed will be closed for the rest of the week as police investigate and damage is cleaned up.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
