A charity in Surrey is appealing to the public to help replace one of their vans after thieves stole and set fire to it last week.
Us In A Bus is a small registered charity that works to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for people with profound learning disabilities and complex needs. As the name might suggest, much of the charity’s work involves Intensive Interaction Practitioners travelling around Surrey and the surrounding areas to deliver weekly sessions – work which relies on the small fleet of vans to transport staff and their equipment.
The local charity is now appealing to existing supporters and the public to help raise funds to replace one of their vans, which was stolen from the charity’s headquarters in Redhill before being found on Thursday 12 September in a burnt-out state.
Van in Lavender FieldsVictoria Goody, CEO for Us In A Bus, said:
“These vans are vital for us to be able to reach the people we support. It is incredibly sad that someone would not only steal the van but then set fire to it, knowing full well it belonged to a charity.”
Van – side viewWhile the charity does have insurance, they have set up a crowd funder to help raise much-needed funds in the expectation they may not receive the full value back.
Since starting the crowd funder last week, the charity has already seen donations totalling over £1,700, yet are still some way short of their £6,000 target.
Victoria added:
“The response we’ve received so far from our appeal has been incredible. It’s amazing to know that local people are willing to get behind our efforts in the face of such heartless vandalism.”
The van was stolen around 11.30pm on Wednesday 11 September, and found the next day in Jubilee Fields, having been set on fire along with another stolen car. The police investigation is ongoing, and as yet no arrests have been made.
For more information on Us In A Bus please visit www.usinabus.org.uk.