Youngsters 'heartbroken' by orchard theft

Fruit trees from a community orchard have been stolen, leaving the young people who planted them devastated.

The project by the D2 Youth Zone group in Newcastle's Newbiggin Hall area, aimed to bring nature into the community.

However, the group, which includes a number of people with social or mental health challenges or who are neurodivergent, found 15 of the 18 trees had been taken.

Angela Smith, a youth project manager at D2, said: "To have all that hard work undone by theft is just heartbreaking. The young people are devastated."

She said the youngsters often felt they were "being told they're not good enough" and the orchard had been a way of creating opportunities for them to feel proud of themselves by doing "something positive for the community".

"Because of the unusually dry weather, the young people carried 18 10-litre buckets of water each week to keep the trees alive.

"We had plans to train them in tree care and turn this into a lasting legacy."

Newcastle City Council is among the organisations that have partnered for the scheme.

Alex Hay, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council which is involved on the scheme, described the youngsters' achievements as "truly inspiring".

He said: "The theft of these trees is deeply disappointing, but it will not take away from the incredible effort and spirit shown by the young people of the D2 Youth Project.

"We will do everything we can to help rebuild this project and show that kindness and community will always be stronger than selfishness."

Northumbria Police has confirmed it is investigating.

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