A charity van has been ripped apart by thieves who took its engine, bonnet and gearbox. Tools With A Mission, based in Rugby, sends tools and refurbished sewing machines to Africa. It estimates the damage will cost £20,000 to fix.
CoventryLive reported that even the driver's seat was removed. The charity's depot in Paynes Lane was broken into earlier this week and the parts taken from the vehicle. The organisation, which works with volunteers in the UK and takes about 220 tons of unwanted equipment and tools to Africa each year, is currently working with six countries.
The charity posted on Twitter: "Our Rugby centre was broken into this week, and thieves stole our van's engine, gearbox, bonnet, driver's seat, and much more. If any local companies or businesses are able to support us in replacing the van or providing a secure place to keep one, we'd love to have a chat."
Centre manager Nigel Hyde told the BBC that the theft would have a "huge" impact on the charity's work. He said: "That will radically slow down the tools coming into this centre, which means that probably we delay at least one container leaving."
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