A CHILDREN'S charity minibus has been dumped in the New Forest after it was stolen in Andover and set on fire.

The vehicle belonged to Youth Options, a Hampshire charity that provides support and activities to children and young people, particularly for those who need additional support.

According to the charity, the incident happened last night (April 27) in Andover and police are still investigating, but it is possible that the engine was stolen and the bus set alight to remove any forensic evidence.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police, said: "It was reported to us on Thursday 28 April that sometime between 7pm on Wednesday 27 April and 7.30am on Thursday morning a Ford Transit minibus had been taken from outside of The Scott Centre on Mead Hedges, Andover.

"It was later reported to us that the vehicle had been located burnt out in the New Forest.

"This report is currently being assessed and available lines of enquiry are being reviewed."

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Madeleine Durie, chief executive officer of Youth Options, added: “We are so upset that someone would do this, and particularly to a charity minibus. It had our logo and charity details on, so whoever stole it would have been completely aware they were stealing from a children and young people’s charity.

“We had fundraised to buy the minibus and it was used daily to transport children to our youth centre in Andover, and to take children to outings during the school holidays. Only last week, we had used the minibus to enable children from Andover to our outdoor learning centre in Eastleigh where they got to build dens, cook on campfires. They had such a great time, they didn’t want to leave. Without the use of the minibus, we wouldn’t have been able to give them those opportunities.”

The charity is appealing to anyone who may have seen or know something to come forward to help police with their investigations.

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Youth Options has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the costs of the replacement and cover the additional costs for temporary transport.

If you are able to help you can do so here: justgiving.com/campaign/minibusfund.

 

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