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Charity workers 'heartbroken' after minibus theft

Nathan Turvey
BBC News, Yorkshire
Reporting fromLeeds
Warren Gales A CCTV image showing a van being driven away at night with its lights on.Warren Gales
The theft of the minibus was captured on CCTV

A charity that supports elderly people in Leeds has said the theft of its new minibus was "heartbreaking".

The Trinity Network in Belle Isle celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and in January raised £24,000 to buy the vehicle, affectionately named "Norman".

Just eight weeks later on 13 March, staff opening up the charity centre realised the minibus had gone.

Sarah Crane, driver of the bus, said her "heart stopped" and she "nearly burst into tears" when she realised the vehicle had been taken.

BBC/Nick Gemzoe Sarah Crane, the minibus driver, with brown hair and wearing glasses. BBC/Nick Gemzoe
Minibus driver Sarah Crane said the theft of "Norman" had been "heartbreaking"

Ms Crane said: "We had one lady, she was our most stout supporter and she passed away at the weekend and I was supposed to pick her up on Thursday and Friday.

"Knowing that I couldn't spend those last few days with her, that's devastating, because of somebody else's greed, you can't put into words how that makes you feel."

Around 100 people a week use the centre, which is attached to the United Reformed Church in Belle Isle.

However, Trevor Heylings, the centre manager, said that number had now reduced to about 65, because without the minibus some members with disabilities, or mobility issues, were unable to attend.

"One particular gentleman came five days a week, he's now down to one because we managed to get him here on the Leeds Access Bus, so we are trying our damnedest to get members in," he said.

BBC/Nick Gemzoe A group of people sitting at tables chatting and playing bingo at one of the Trinity Network sessions.BBC/Nick Gemzoe
Around 100 people a week usually rely on the Trinity Network sessions held at the United Reformed Church in Belle Isle.

Vera Skilbeck, who relies on the minibus to bring her to the sessions, said she was "really upset" when she heard the vehicle had been stolen.

She said she was instead having to travel to the centre on her mobility scooter.

"We need it, we need the bus, not them, they don't need it," she said.

"We can't hardly walk, some of the people are in wheelchairs."

BBC/Nick Gemzoe Vera Skilbeck with grey hair and wearing glasses at one of the Trinity Network sessions.BBC/Nick Gemzoe
Vera Skilbeck relied on the minibus to get to the Trinity Network sessions

West Yorkshire Police said: "On Thursday 13 March, it received a report of a theft of a minibus from a compound off Nestfield Road.

"It was reported that the minibus was taken some time between 16:15 GMT on Wednesday 12 March and 09:00 on Thursday 13 March."

The force urged anyone with information to get in touch.

Charity minibus stolen after eight weeks

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