Charity van delivering meals from food bank stolen and stripped of its engine by thieves

Charity van delivering meals from food bank stolen and stripped of its engine by thieves Cambridge City Foodbank are urgently fundraising to buy a new van to deliver meals to residents - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Thieves have stolen a charity van from a food bank and stripped it for parts and removed its engine. Cambridge City Foodbank discovered that the vehicle had been taken from outside its warehouse unit on Tuesday night, leaving them without the means to transport donations and food parcels. A resident discovered it in a separate location, after it was abandoned after being towed away to be stripped for its engine. Speaking to the BBC, the charity’s chief executive Steve Clay said: “It’s mind-blowing, really, to think that somebody could be so callous. “I am in shock. I find it almost beyond belief that anyone would ever consider doing this to a charity that exists to help local people in need.” The vehicle has since been written off and a fundraiser has been launched to raise £15,000 to find a replacement. Cambridgeshire Police are investigating the incident and inquiries are ongoing. While the food bank, which provides an estimated 250,000 meals to struggling residents each year, has been lent a van by their insurance provider, this is only on a two-week basis. “Sourcing a suitable replacement van will cost us thousands more than the insurance sum we will likely receive and, in a week or so, we will find ourselves in the position where we are extremely restricted on the amount of food we are able to provide for people who desperately need it,” Mr Clay said. As of Monday, the fundraiser had reached over £13,000 with 275 donations. In a statement, the charity said: “We are in absolute shock and simply cannot believe that anyone would do this to a charitable organisation that exists to help local people in need. “Our insurance provider has loaned us a temporary 14-day replacement van but, beyond this, we will no longer have the van to transport vital food items to people facing hunger and hardship across Cambridge. “Callous criminals may have stolen our van, but they will never take our hope and belief in the power of community but, right now, we need you more than ever. We are in desperate need and have launched an urgent fundraising appeal.” A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 2.20pm on Wednesday (7 Oct) with reports a foodbank vehicle had been stolen from an address in Nuffield Close, Cambridge. “Officers were called and the vehicle has since been recovered but parts are missing. Investigations are ongoing.”