'Really awful' - Fundraiser launched for Age Concern South Tyneside after minibus is cruelly stolen
A fundraiser has been launched after a South Tyneside organisation’s minibus was stolen.
Age Concern South Tyneside (ACTS) is raising funds for a new minibus after cruel thieves took their previous one.
The white 2017 Peugeot Boxer 17-seater minibus, registration WA17 CHJ, was stolen from the ACTS premises on Beach Road in South Shields Beach Road some time on the evening of Monday, August 10 or the morning of Tuesday, August 11.
Devastated staff say there has been no trace of it since.
The minibus, which had a ramp for wheelchair access, served a variety of purposes: taking elderly South Tynesiders on days out and shopping trips, as well as bringing people to their lunch club for a meal and company.
It was also used to transport the elderly to balance and stability classes; people who struggle with their mobility go to ACTS for exercise classes to build up their strength and become more mobile.
The charity has been given a generous temporary loan of a minibus, but needs to buy a replacement and a GoFundMe page has been set up.
The stolen vehicle was insured, but costs have risen sharply since it was bought and additional funding is needed.
‘Really awful’
An ACTS spokesperson told the Gazette: “We haven’t set a limit on the fundraising, but anything we receive would rally help with the costs.
“We know how much our insurance will pay out, but we need something of a decent standard and hopefully for the long-term.
“Some of our other minibuses are over 10 years old. This was one we bought as a replacement for an old bus a couple of years ago because that one was costing too much to maintain.
“To have it stolen was just really awful and very disappointing.
“We loaned it out to other groups too for things like day trips to Durham.”
To contribute to the minibus fundraiser, please visit Fundraiser by Grahame Cassidy : Towards a new Mini bus for ACTS.
ACTS is also raising funds for 200 Christmas meals for South Tynesiders who will most appreciate them, to be delivered this Christmas Eve.
Anyone with information on the stolen minibus should call Northumbria Police on 101, or report it via the force’s website.