Charity 'blown away' by support after break-in

A youth support charity volunteer said they had been "blown away" by local support following a recent break-in.

Games consoles, iPads, other electrical items and handmade craft items were taken from UTurn in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on 13 June. A man has since been charged.

Emily Jackson, 28, who has volunteered with UTurn since it opened in 2019, said the break-in was "heartbreaking" and left her feeling "absolutely sick", as the charity had worked for years to be able to afford the items that were taken.

But she said the response from local people, which included raising more than £4,000 and donations of replacement PlayStations and Xboxes, had been "amazing".

"Obviously, for such a sad and hard time for the directors and the staff at Uturn, just to see how the community has come together to help us is amazing," Jackson said.

"In hard times, there are people that are kind and have a good heart."

UTurn was founded by Shani Jackson and Tania Swanson and won a King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2024.

It supports young people aged nine to 18, and those aged up to 25 with additional needs, across Tendring and Essex.

Essex Police said as well as the consoles and tablets, a three-figure sum of cash had been taken.

A 56-year-old man was charged with burglary earlier this month and is due appear before magistrates in Colchester in August.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.