COMMUNITY-minded youngsters in Sale were able to finish an impressive 80-metre long mural despite the artwork being crudely vandalised a day before completion.

A group of teenagers aged 16-17 have been working hard in Sale West to transform the hoarding around the old Cherry Manor Primary School as part of their National Citizens Service programme.

But when they arrived on Friday morning, August 28, they were distraught to find their handiwork had been daubed with obscene graffiti and their paint, supplies and stepladder stolen from an outdoor storage area.

“The vandalism was a real knock to their morale, which is such a shame when they were working so hard,” said arts coordinator, Zoe Taylor, Sale community arts group, Two by Two.

The group rallied to complete the work, but had to spend part of the £100 charity money they raised with a 5k sponsored walk to buy new supplies.

Thankfully, a local builder, who wished to remain anonymous, heard about their misfortune and donated funds to cover the cost of the stolen materials.

This enabled the group to finish the mural and donate £90 to Trafford Housing Trust, who will use the money towards further projects in the Sale West Community.

They also received donations from Johnstone Paint and support from Kier Construction.

The completed mural, which surrounds development at the new Brentwood School site, is a tale of the transition from morning to night and birth to retirement. Its theme nods at the importance of the school being built and its impact on the youth in the community.

“Luckily they pulled together to overcome the setback and were so pleased with the finished boards,” added Zoe.

“It has been a great project to work on. The group very much felt out of their comfort zone with such a huge canvas but then were so proud when the painting started to take shape.”