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"I want to tell whoever did it, I'm here if they want to talk to me," said Carly Burd, creator of the A Meal On Me With Love initiative. The founder of a housing development created to help those most affected by the cost of living crisis, which went viral on social media after it was smashed with salt, said the ordeal was "heartbreaking" but he was "grateful". a police investigation. . Essex Police officers have launched an investigation to find the culprits and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Carly Burd is the creator of the A Meal On Me With Love initiative, which grows and distributes fresh fruits, vegetables, and other essential items to people on benefits, low incomes, and retirees.
Ms Burd, from Harlow, Essex, told the PA news agency that the ordeal, which was reported to police on Wednesday, was "heartbreaking".
She said: "It was heartbreaking. What made it worse was that the kids came yesterday to help me plant it and it broke me."
"They were so beautiful that they said 'okay, we can replant it'.
“They worked very hard. They worked hard and we're trying to make a change, it's overwhelming.
Ms Burd told PA she was 'delighted' that she would welcome the children and families who initially helped plant 300 onions and 300 potatoes on the development.
"The kids are coming back and we're going to replant, so I'm absolutely excited about that," she added.
The project began when Ms. Burd, who lives with multiple sclerosis and lupus, lost her heat last year and felt compelled to help members of her community in a similar situation.
“I'm just a girl who grew a carrot…I didn't know anything about culture,” she said.
"I had to do it, I had no other choice.
"I ran out of heat last year, and what was I supposed to do this year, go without food?"
She has been overwhelmed by people's support as her GoFundMe, which was backed by Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker, approaches the £240,000 mark.
“I'm just a girl who loves the outdoors. I don't watch TV and I just go to my little TikTok or my Facebook account, because I was encouraging the community to participate and that's it,” he said.
“So this whole thing blew my mind.
“My volunteers have worked so hard and it's heartbreaking.
"But I can't let this get you down because it makes you feel even worse… I have to move on."
The gardening enthusiast said she was "very eager" to spruce up her development and believes it "gives me an opportunity to support other charities in my area."
Shocked by the incident, Ms Burd said she had "never felt so much hate" but urged those at fault to contact her.
“I have never felt so much hate. I get along with everyone in my community,” he told PA.
“I want to tell whoever did this, I'm here if you want to talk to me. Not aggressive, not my style.
"It won't come out of my lips and it won't come out to anyone, but come talk to me."
As she struggles to find out why the incident occurred, she hopes she can support the person who vandalized her development.
"I am not a threat to anybody. I will be there and I will support you and I will do everything possible to support you," he explained.
"I don't understand why someone would do something so hurtful, but I'm here to discuss."
Essex Police received a report on April 12 that officers visited Ms Burd's estate and conducted door-to-door inquiries.
The incident reportedly took place between 2:00 p.m. on April 7 and 9:00 a.m. on April 8.
Harlow District Commander, Chief Inspector Paul Austin, has called for witnesses and anyone with security camera or doorbell footage of the incident to come forward.
"Carly is understandably devastated by this senseless act, which has caused real damage to her efforts to help those most in need in Harlow," he said.
“However, it is striking how determined she is so that this act does not stop her good work.
“The support he has received here in the community and from across the country has been truly heartwarming.
“We take all criminal damage matters seriously and investigate thoroughly.
"We need anyone who may have information about this incident to come forward, your reports are important and make a world of difference."
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