A CHARITY'S minibus has been stolen from outside its Brentwood base.
About 120 people who rely on Brentwood Mind to help them cope with depression, stress and other mental health illnesses have been dealt a major blow by the theft.
Many of the charity's members benefit from a range of workshops, courses and outdoor activities, such as football and tending allotments.
But many of these activities and therapeutic days out will have to be put on hold until a replacement to the charity's white 12 seater Transit can be found.
The 2010 Ford Transit minibus was stolen from a parking bay in William Hunter Way at the rear of B & M Cycles sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning last week.
The white 12–seater van, registration number FV60 RSU, had been used to transport members across the borough, including to the Brentwood Centre where the charity organises a weekly six-a-side football sessions.
Larry Gutteridge, from Brentwood Mind, said: "This is going to be a blow for service users – for a start we won't be able to use many of our venues until we get a new minibus."
Brentwood Mind, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, was formed in 1973 to help those in the Brentwood and local community suffering with mental illness to lead full and interesting lives.
Mr Gutteridge is hoping the insurance will pay out – but worries that it may still cost the charity as much as £15,000 to buy a new minibus.
He said: "All the fundraising we have been doing as part of our 40th birthday celebrations will now probably have to be sunk into a new minibus rather than promoting and improving the services we provide. That's a real shame."
If you have any information please call Brentwood police on 101 or 01245 491491.
