Fundraiser set up to help Wiltshire primary after minibus stolen and set fire to
Community rallies around to help village school
Last updated 10th Feb 2022
It was a crime that sent shockwaves through the local community; a mini bus stolen from a Wiltshire primary school, its engine ripped out before being set alight.
Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls C of E was targeted overnight last week.
The Ford Transit taken from the school grounds was found dumped six miles away near Bramshaw.
The school had owned the 17 seater for less than a year when the crime happened.
Although the vehicle was insured the head teacher Graham Nagel-Smith has voiced concerns that the pay out won't cover the cost of a replacement particularly as the cost of second hand vehicles has soared.
"Even with the insurance money there will be a financial cost as we’ll have to pay the gap between what we receive and what we need to spend to get something similar. That money we will need to put into purchasing another bus will need to come from somewhere and it will be thousands."
Parent Hattie Arnold has set up a fundraising page to help and so far more than £4,000 has been raised.
Hattie says it's not just pupils that will benefit:
"The primary school has regularly planned trips coming up for the children in the school which requires the use of the school minibus for travel. These trips help to make classroom learning relevant through a real life context. This brings ‘learning to life’ for many children and provides them with memorable experiences.
"The minibus also takes children to sports matches and gets hired out to other local schools and community groups with a charitable status. The Downton Beavers, Scouts and Brownies are regular borrowers!"