Carers' charity has van full of tools stolen

The founder of a charity for vulnerable people has said she is "very cross" that its van containing "a few hundreds pounds worth" of gardening tools was stolen.

Eileen Crew, who set up Shaftesbury & District Carers Association 20 years ago to help people in Dorset, admitted she also feels "very sorry" for those who are responsible.

She said CCTV footage from a nearby business showed that the charity's white Ford Transit van was taken from Longmead Industrial Estate in Shaftesbury, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Dorset Police confirmed that enquiries are being carried out but no arrests have been made.

Ms Crew said she understands that "a lot of people are so desperate" at the moment.

"I feel very sorry that they have to do things like this," she said.

Ms Crew was inspired to start the charity after her son struggled with his mental health.

It started as a drop-in service where people could attend to socialise and has expanded to include a wide range of projects to help people get out and about, learn new skills, and enjoy themselves.

Hope 2 Grow is one of its projects, where volunteers manage gardens that people are unable to cope with themselves.

"I think a lot of people would say we make a difference," Ms Crew said.

She said the organisation had gained a lot of tools and items over the years thanks to donations and fundraising.

Among the stolen items that were in the van was a "lawnmower" and a "grass trimmer," Ms Crew said.

The charity was quickly inundated with donations and support from locals after it posted about the theft on social media.

"We've had lots of different donations people have brought tools in that they no longer need," Ms Crew said.

"People have been really kind."

She added defiantly that this will not stop them from continuing to help people in need with their gardens.

"We'll work hard to get the charity going again," she said.

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