Community groups in Radcliffe "will not be defeated" after four years of donations were destroyed in a fire.
The blaze at a shipping container on Belmont Street on Friday afternoon, which is believed to have been caused deliberately, caused equipment stored inside to be set alight.
No arrests or injuries have been reported.
The equipment was used by volunteers from Radcliffe Litter Pickers and Incredible Edible who, in their own free time, work to make the town a cleaner and greener space.
Gill Smith, from the Litter Pickers, said: “We were disappointed because we are all volunteers and most of this has been donated to us over the space of four years and most of it is now unsalvageable.
“It looks like some kind of modern art sculpture, it's all melted or welded together and we are so disappointed but we will start up again.
“We do a lot of good in the area and whoever did this has destroyed four years of work, in 15 minutes, but we won't be defeated."
Gill said the response from the community has been heart-warming with Brightside Brewery, Rotary Radcliffe, Radcliffe Market, Vinci, Asda and other people helping to offer to make donations.
She added that money donations to the group's bank account would be preferred over physical equipment so they don’t risk receiving too many items.
Gill added: “Some of the things that have been destroyed are two petrol strimmer’s that we had paid for, we lost a lot of gardening equipment, lots of donations and a boat and life jackets which will be expensive to replace.”
The group also lost a lot of litter picking equipment and trolleys in the fire as well as a shelving unit, ladders and wood for hanging racks.
A spokesperson from Radcliffe Market, which has made a donation towards replacing equipment, said: “Radcliffe Market, our team and members are shocked and upset at the awful destruction caused by the fire, started by mindless vandals near the containers of Radcliffe Litter Pickers and Incredible Edibles.
“The Growing Radcliffe groups, have been working hard to support and grow Radcliffe, putting in, as many of our team do, countless hours of their own time, between work and family commitments, a loss like this is devastating and only serves to damage our community, sadly those responsible don't understand many things and community is one, but we do!
“Radcliffe Market will be making a donation to Radcliffe Litter Pickers, from our community fund, something which you, our members, helped to create and offering temporary storage in a bid to help with repairing and replacing some of the loss.
“If you would like to donate and offer your support please contact Gill Smith via the Radcliffe Litter Pickers page.
“We urge all parties involved to keep their spirits up and dedication as unwavering as normal, I'm sure they won't be too disheartened once they see the community pull together for them.”
Following the incident, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Shortly before 6pm on Friday, August 4, firefighters were called out to a fire on Belmont Road, Radcliffe.
“Two fire engines from Bury and Whitefield quickly attended the scene where a storage container was on fire.
"Crews used a hose reel and a thermal camera to extinguish the fire and were in attendance for 50 minutes.”
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