Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care van stolen from Farnham before being torched in Fleet
Emergency services were called to the blaze during the early hours of Sunday
Last updated 8th Feb 2021
A van belonging to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care has been stolen and set ablaze.
The ford transit, covered in the charity’s branding, was taken from the donation centre in Dogflud Way in Farnham at around 10pm on Saturday night (6 January).
It was later found well alight in Minley Road, Fleet during the early hours of Sunday morning (7 January).
Fire crews used two hose reels and two sets of breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.
Both the registration and VIN plates had been removed from the vehicle, with firefighters reporting the incident to police.
The van was used by the charity’s staff and volunteers to collect donated items to be sold in its shops, and also to move stock around between those shops.
Money raised by the sale of items helps fund the care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer.
Since the van was stolen, Phyllis Tuckwell has moved its other retail vehicles to the safety of the Hospice car park.
However, there is concern that they are taking up valuable parking spaces there, which patients’ visitors and staff would otherwise be able to use.
Barry Young, Retail Operations Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell, said: “It’s hard enough to manage at the moment, as a charity, with the difficulties the pandemic has caused.
“We have insurance, but it will cause real problems for our staff and volunteers to sort this out and get a new, branded van ready in time for when we are able to re-open our shops.”
A number of fundraising pages have been setup by those wishing to support the charity further following the incident.
Barry added: “Despite this senseless act of theft and vandalism, we are always amazed at the generosity and support that most of the local community shows towards our charity.
“Two of our wonderful supporters have already set up fundraising pages to help us raise money. We would like to thank them both, and everyone who has donated money on their pages.”
The hospice has asked anyone who has information about the theft to contact police.
Surrey Police have been contacted for further details about the incident.