AN ANONYMOUS donation has left vandal-struck community group Bicester Green 'overwhelmed' with support after it was burgled.

The recycling organisation was targeted by thieves who smashed their way into its base off Launton Road leaving a path of destruction behind.

Run on a not-for-profit basis, volunteers work to fix and upcycle unwanted items that are destined for landfill.

But late last year vandals forced to fix up their own site after smashing through windows, before stealing the till and cash inside.

Since then, the group have been tirelessly fundraising and 'mucking in' to get the Bicester Green base back up and running for its team of volunteers.

Businesses far and wide have helped along the way but a recent windfall of hundreds of pounds towards the cause left trustees delighted.

A post to the Bicester Green fundraising page pledged £500 and said: "This is a worthy cause worthy of support by the community.

"As a local business we're happy to support you and wish you all the best after this terrible event."

The surprise, anonymous donation took the group's efforts past its £2,000 fundraising target and means the group can afford to get back to doing what it does best.

Bicester Green trustee Azul Strong said: "We are incredibly thankful to everyone who made a contribution, whether big or small.

"When we made the call for help, we had no idea we would not only reach our target, but exceed it.

"The money raised has allowed us to transform two of our containers, by insulating one internally and the other fit it out as a bike maintenance workshop, massively improving the working environment for our staff and volunteers.

"We have also secured the site to reduce the chances of it happening again."

Bicester Green is a social enterprise that was founded in 2013 and hoped to help reduce waste by intercepting unwanted items heading for landfill.

A group of volunteers, lead by a board of trustees, work throughout the week to upcycle and recycle items into new objects and sell them on.

The group also hosts a number of repair and skills workshops to help people who are unemployed gain skills to get back into work.

Recently, the work has also included repairing the Bicester Green's own self-built base which has been created using old shipping containers.

Trustee Lewis Knight added: "We want to thank everyone who has supported Bicester Green with donations, offers of materials and professional assistance since Christmas.

"Everyone associated with Bicester Green is overwhelmed by the support of the local community and we feel truly blessed to be able to carry on our work in 2018."

Bicester Green gave particular thanks to OneBicester, MidCounties CO-OP, Bicester Town Mayor, Bicester Round Table, M-Tech, Rationel Windows, Bicester Village, Rotary Club of Bicester, SESI Refill Oxford, Weyland Lodge, “Phil” and the anonymous donor from a Bicester business that took the fundraising past the £2,000 target.