Vandalism attack on hospice vans costs St Francis �600
St Francis Hospice was forced to cancel deliveries to its shops after three of the vans used to collect donations were damaged by vandals.
The vehicles were parked near the hospice shop in Station Parade, Elm Park, and when staff arrived on Monday, they discovered 11 tyres had been slashed.
Steve Rose, general manager of St Francis Hospice shops, said: “We were shocked and disappointed to discover that our charity vans had been damaged.
Police
“It meant that we were unable to make deliveries to our shops and pick up donations for a morning while the tyres were replaced.”
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Police have been informed about the incident, which has cost the hospice up to �600 for the insurance excess – money that had been raised to support patients and their families who need the specialist medical care and support provided by St Francis.
The vans are used to collect donations of furniture and clothing and deliver stock to shops that raise money to support work caring for people with life limiting illnesses.
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Steve said: “This, and the cost of the insurance excess, has impacted on the amount of money we would normally have raised for the hospice.
“The hospice depends on the support of the community to donate items to the shops and raise funds and it is saddening when we have to use donations to pay for mindless damage.”
This year St Francis Hospice needs to raise �7.2million to fund the end of life care services it provides to local people. The shops are always in need of donations of clothes, books, toys, furniture and other quality items.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident. Anyone with information should contact the police on 101.
n To donate goods and to find out more about how you can support the charity, visit www.sfh.org.uk or call 01708 753 319.
