Newbury day centre minibus vandalised

Replacement of lights that were recently hacked off the centre's minibus has cost £260

A TRUSTEE of a Newbury day care centre has lambasted "hard-hearted" thieves, who recently hacked off the rear lights of the centre's minibus, rendering it unusable for several days.

Sue Kitchener, manager of the Fairclose Day Centre in Newtown Road, said thieves targeted the minibus as it was parked outside the centre during the early hours of last Sunday morning (July 17).

The mini bus, a converted van with power lift for the disabled, was unusable until Tuesday, July 19, while repairs were carried out.

“We were relying on kind volunteers to collect people and bring them in, or people had to get a taxi, which is expensive - people rely on coming in for their lunches and for day care,” said Mrs Kitchener, adding taht the police had been informed.

The lights had cost £260 to repair and Mrs Kitchener said it was not worth making any insurance claim due to the excess applicable on the policy.

The centre's treasurer, Olwyn Brian, said the minibus had been visibly parked underneath a light when it was vandalised.

“Someone removed the covers, stripped out and stole the rear lights,” said Mrs Brian, who is also a trustee of the centre.

“I am so irate that someone could be so hardhearted to do this. It affects us, purse-wise, and also those who come into the day centre,” she added.

The self-funded centre, a registered charity, runs on limited funds raised from the provision of meals-on-wheels, luncheons and ad hoc grants.