THIS has truly restored our faith in human nature.

Those are the words of the head of a Hampshire charity which was targeted by vandals after a huge swell of support from the community.

Four vehicles were left out of action after a group of hooligans targeted the Bradbury Centre, run by the Rose Road Association.

They scaled a fence surrounding the building in Alderoor Road, Southampton before jumping from one vehicle to another, damaging a minibus, two cars and an outreach vehicle used to transport wheelchair-users.

As a result, a series of weekend visits for a group of disabled children were in danger of being cancelled, including an eagerly-anticipated trip to see Santa at Marwell Zoo.

But now, the outings will go ahead thanks to donations from several local businesses.

The support has enabled the charity to repair all of the damaged vehicles and install motion-sensored lighting and CCTV.

Juno Hollyhock, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We have had some really lovely support from local people and organisations so our children will be able to have their visit to Father Christmas and to see the Christmas lights after all.

“We would really like to thank Holmes Southampton Ltd, Irwin Mitchell’s Southampton office, The Brunswick Trust and Southampton Doing it for the Kids for their amazing contributions, as well as Marwell Zoo who called the centre to offer support with finding alternative transport and to say that Santa would be sorry not to see the children this weekend but hoped to see them soon.

“One lovely lady was so touched by our story that she came to the centre and handed over a cheque for £100.

“The CCTV cameras were funded entirely by one kind gentleman and his wife who wish to be known only as Mr and Mrs Claus – we know who you are and we are so grateful.

“This has truly restored our faith in human nature and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated or called in to see how we are and to offer practical help.”