Charity 'devastated' after memorial minibus is stolen
Heartless thieves have stolen a charity minibus which is a ‘lifeline’ for people with learning disabilities.
Police officers investigating the ‘despicable crime’ are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The Ford Transit minibus was stolen from Haswell and District Mencap, which is based at The Lisa Dixon Centre, on Burt Close, Haswell, in the early hours of Saturday, August 1.
The minibus, which was bought following a fundraising campaign in 2012, was named ‘Cliffys Bus’ in memory of one of the charity’s drivers.
CCTV captured the moment four thieves stole the minibus from the centre’s grounds.
Posting on Facebook, Haswell
Mencap said: “We are devastated and absolutely heartbroken to report that on Saturday, August 1, in the early hours, our minibus was stolen from our car park.
“Our minibus is a lifeline for our people with a learning disability who we support on a daily basis to enable them to access our services and activities.
“COVID-19 has already had a devastating impact on our charity financially and an even bigger impact on the people we support and this could not have happened at a worse time as we prepare to re-open.
“The bus that has been stolen was lovingly named Cliffys Bus in memory of one of our drivers. The bus has our logo on the sides and front and Cliffys Bus on the top at the front.”
A Just Giving page has also been set up by a member of the public to help make Mencap mobile again – with more than £1,100 already donated.
"The last few months have been a struggle and today has been horrendous for us all, but in all the sadness, we have seen amazing gestures of support,” said Haswell Mencap.
“We sincerely appreciate any penny you can give to help get us back on the road.”
A Durham Constabulary spokesman said: “The charity provides services, activities and support to people with learning disabilities, their families, and their carers.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information on who stole the vehicle, is asked to contact PC Cornfield at Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 228 of August 4.”