Charity Helping Hands devastated after van stolen - The Leamington Observer

Charity Helping Hands devastated after van stolen

Leamington Editorial 14th Nov, 2016 Updated: 14th Nov, 2016   0

A CHARITY has been left devastated after its van – which enables them to do ‘vital’ work with the homeless and vulnerable – was stolen.

Volunteers for Helping Hands were on a high after more than 100 people took part in their sponsored sleep out at All Saints Church.

But just 48 hours later they were brought back to earth with a bang when they discovered their van – a 2011 Ford Transit – had been stolen from its parking space on Hitchman Road in Leamington.

The van – which has the number plate OV61 MME – was last seen on Saturday morning.




Spokeswoman Lianne Kirkman told the Observer: “It was donated to the charity two years ago by Amey Construction and has been a massive help to every aspect of our work.

“We need it to do our work transporting goods to local families and individuals in need. All items donated by the community get collected in the van and transported to and from our storage to the houses we have referrals from. It’s essential to all we do.”


The charity is now urging people to look out for the van and contact police if they see it or have any information.

Lianne said: “We last had it and saw it after the sleep out. It was rammed with all the cardboard people slept on so about 200 pieces of soggy wet cardboard is in it.

“After the amazing success of the sleep out at the weekend, there is always something to bring you back to earth with a bump.”

Call police on 101 to report any sightings or information about the van.

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