The Huntlee Academy has confirmed it has shut down a program that helps disadvantaged people find work, develop skills and access higher level career opportunities that it set up in partnership with the Mai Wel Group.

The theft of firewood on the last weekend of July has spurred the closure.

Workers who are part of the program had spent the winter weeks splitting, bagging and stacking about 20 cubic metres of firewood, ready for sale.

The money they made paid their wages and the work they did – and the skills they learnt – no doubt would have helped build their confidence.

But a brazen thief cut through a wire fence surrounding the Branxton property where the wood had been stacked and took the stockpile.

Huntlee Academy project manager Keith Rogers said the incident had caused great distress to the firewood team and contributed to the project being terminated early.

The academy is attempting to transfer the four firewood team members to other duties within the organisation.

Mr Rogers is spot on when he labelled the theft a low act.

“It is hard to believe we have people in the community who would steal from a charity to further their own selfish purposes,” he told the Mercury today.

“The people employed in this program have been dealt a pretty tough hand in life but continue to strive to improve themselves. 

“To have people literally steal that opportunity from them is incredibly disappointing.”

Indeed, it’s a disgrace that someone in this community would stoop to such a level simply to score themselves some free firewood.

Police are investigating the incident and the Huntlee Academy has offered a cash reward for information that leads to the conviction of the thief.

Let’s hope that justice finds its way to this thief and that the people who can no longer take part in this program find other worthwhile endeavours soon.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/