A CHILDREN’S rugby club in Duffryn is calling for help after vandals destroyed its equipment, forcing them to suspend training.

Committee member Melissa Morgan, 43, discovered empty cans littered around the shipping container used to house St Joseph’s Casnewydd rugby club’s generator and supplies on Saturday when she went to to prepare for a match the following day.

Opening up the hut, she discovered vandals had broken in through the serving hatch and helped themselves to drinks.

They left the empty cans behind, cut through electric cables, stole the tea urn and stole the generator used to power the floodlights, worth £1,500.

During the winter months floodlights are essential for the club as the teams cannot play on a dark pitch.

Chairman Andrew Davidson said: “What they vandalised, they pinched as well.

“They pinched the wire and just left the sockets on the wall, pinched the generator and just left the plastic fuel tank.

“It’s really gutting – it puts everything back for the kids.”

Ms Morgan said: “This has been a huge loss to the club.

“Not only has it destroyed our ability to train, it has also stopped us from generating an income each week in order for the boys and girls to continue playing rugby.”

To replace the generator and other items stolen and repair the container will cost at least £1,500 and now the club is appealing for donations to meet the cost.

It has already held a raffle, raising almost £100, and will be carrying out more fundraising events.

But this can be a slow process and members hope someone comes forward, such as a local business or entrepreneur to help the children get back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Ms Morgan said: “It’s very disappointing all round. That’s a massive amount to try and raise.”

She added the club hopes that “anybody out there is willing to help us, in any way”.

Around 150 boys and girls play with the team, ranging from under eights playing tag rugby to under 15s playing full matches.

The club is looking at paying to use alternative pitches, but this would be a drain on resources when it is trying to raise funds.

To donate or offer help call Ms Morgan on 07834 223169 or e-mail melissajmorgan@sky.com.

Police are appealing for information regarding the theft or anyone who saw anything suspicious at the relevant times to call 101 and quote log number 126 16/11/13