Armidale-based youth work charity BackTrack are appealing to the public for help after thieves stole thousands of dollars' worth of tools on Sunday night.
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"We hope the public will chip in wherever they can, as far as helping us out with some tools," BackTrack carpenter Matt Pett said.
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BackTrack's Grafton Road premises were broken into between 2pm on Sunday and 5.26am on Monday, a police spokesman said.
"They busted in through the shed, cut the locks, and pretty much stole all our new chainsaws that we had just received after another robbery," Mr Pett said.
"I'm the carpenter here at BackTrack; I had a full trailer of tools - and they took the whole lot."
He estimated the stolen tools (not including chainsaws) were worth $9 or $10,000.
Police investigations continue.
BackTrack founder Bernie Shakeshaft's Back on Track, co-written with James Knight, was launched in Armidale last week. The book is already a top-10 non-fiction Australian bestseller.
Mr Shakeshaft founded BackTrack 13 years ago to help disadvantaged and at-risk youths develop responsibility and self-esteem.
More than 1000 youths have passed through the program; Armidale juvenile crime rates have halved; and several towns have adopted similar programs.
Students train cattle dogs; weld metal; or work in agriculture. BackTrack also runs a girls' program; a school outreach program; and houses kids in need.