Businesses offer to get Rotherham Hospice back on the road after van theft

CHARITY workers left “gutted” when their van was stolen were heartened when two businesses offer to get them back on the road.

Thieves drove off with Rotherham Hospice’s delivery van in the early hours of Friday morning.

But after the Advertiser joined the hospice in highlighting the theft, hospice staff were delighted to receive an offer of help from Mexborough-based 4G Textiles Ltd, who said the charity could use one of its vans.

Floor-fitter Dwayne Bennett has also offered the hospice free use of his van.

The hospice’s van — which is used for essential deliveries and collections by the charity — was taken on Friday morning at about 5.20am.

The white Luton van bearing the hospice’s distinct artwork had the registration number DN62 EYA.

Hospice spokeswoman Emma Birch said the van had been taken from the drive of a building at the Broom Road site.

Ms Birch said: The van is used for retail activities like collections of furniture.

“The van is used on a day-to-day basis.

“The theft will have a massive impact as we cannot now carry out collections or donations.”

A spokeswoman added: “We are so gutted to find that our van has been stolen.

“The van is a vital part of hospice operations that we rely on daily.”

The spokeswoman said the charity “could not be more appreciative” of 4G’s offer.

Company director Scott Hooley said the company had been keen to help out as it had close connections with the hospice.

“We work with the hospice in recycling their textiles and raising funds that way,” he said.

“We hope this move will tide them over at what is a desperate time.”

Asked his views of the theft, he said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful — it’s as low as you can go.

“We only hope the van can be traced as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the stolen van should call police on 101, with the incident number 182 1202.