The crooks struck at not-for-profit arts project Z-Arts on Stretford Road, Hulme, at around 5.30pm on Saturday evening.

Z-arts, Manchester’s primary venue for young people and families, have been raising vital funds from visitor donations to help develop the facilities at the creative space for young people. But on Monday the fundraising suffered a setback after thieves came into the building, ripping the box off the wall and stealing the hundreds of pounds inside.

The centre delivers a year-round programme of children’s theatre, events and activities from the 230 seat theatre, gallery, fully equipped dance studio, music studio, café, rehearsal and workshop rooms as well as an impressive outreach programme delivering activities to schools and communities right across Greater Manchester and the north west region.

The money raised was due to help fund significant redevelopment to provide more family and child friendly toilet facilities throughout the venue.

Z-arts General Manager Gary Padden said the fundraising money is a significant loss to the organisation’s fundraising target: “The team have been working incredibly hard to raise funds to revamp the building for our visitors from Manchester and beyond. Each year we have thousands of people through our doors, as young people come to Z-arts to begin their creative journey. This vital funding was going towards improving the facilities they use at the venue. Everyone is really disappointed as we have such a great relationship with the local community, with many residents regularly attending Z-arts events and activities.”

Z arts is a not for profit organisation and registered charity (Charity number 1093556). Although currently part funded by Manchester City Council, the charity relies heavily on friends, champions and other funding sources to continue to provide creative opportunities for Manchester’s young people.

Charity box theft is a big setback youth centre in Hulme http://t.co/RC1EEbdtP3 pic.twitter.com/DzbkjFD0FE

Visit the Z-arts Just Giving page to donate https://www.justgiving.com/locclxulku/donate/?utm_source=website_cid144031&utm_small=buttons&utm_content=locclxulku&utm_campaign=donate_purple

You can also donate to Z-arts when shopping online, simply set up an account on http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ or by visiting http://www.z-arts.org/support-us/

Charity box theft is a big setback youth centre in Hulme http://t.co/RC1EEbdtP3 pic.twitter.com/DzbkjFD0FE

— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) March 19, 2015