Hospice given new vehicle

Sean Lett, chief executive of Marshall Innovations in Tauranga gifted the Waipuna Hospice a brand new vehicle following the theft of their delivery van last week. Photo / George Novak

Less than a week after thieves stole a charity's van following an incident, a new vehicle has been gifted by a Tauranga businessman.

The Waipuna Hospice delivery van was taken last Thursday after another stolen vehicle crashed and was abandoned near the organisation's grounds.

But yesterday morning the charity was glad to receive a helping hand from Marshall Innovations CEO Sean Lett, who donated a new 2015 VW van.

The Tauranga man said his own family and friends had been taken care of through the charity organisation and felt the need to give back.

"I just felt the need to donate and the old one looked like a bit of a dunger as well, so I thought it was something I can help with for the community," Mr Lett said. "There's a lot of money being wasted on refugees, but I think we should look after our own first."

He called last week's theft "disgusting".

"There are just some scumbags in the world. This is for a worthy cause and I'm just pleased we could help."

The delivery van, bought with community funds and donations about five years ago, was a crucial tool and heavily relied on to connect at-home patients with health care and safety equipment needed.

The bigger and flasher delivery van will now be able to transport beds, lazyboy chairs,

wheelchairs, walkers as well as oxygen tanks.

Richard Thurlow, Waipuna Hospice chief executive, was delighted the organisation received a new delivery van that fit the bill perfectly.

"This delivery van is quite an important part of this service. It will ensure we can deliver the equipment and services needed for those who are at home," Mr Thurlow said.

Since word got out of the theft, Mr Thurlow was overwhelmed with offers of help and people wanting to deliver equipment themselves.

"This important tool is for the safety and comfort of the patients. We're grateful to Sean for his donation."

Trish Rae, Waipuna Hospice Fundraising Manager called the donation "an extraordinary generous offer".

"To have a van just allows us to respond in a really timely manner to ensure that people are getting the available equipment as soon as possible."

Vehicle thefts around Western Bay

* The theft of the Waipuna Hospice van came a week after four youths from Mount Maunganui were arrested for allegedly taking and abandoning a number of cars between the Mount and Welcome Bay.

* The theft also follows on from a spate of thefts, in which at least $100,000 worth of tools, appliances and equipment were stolen from newly built homes and work vans in early-morning raids around the Western Bay.

* The stolen hospice van is a red 2006 Mazda E2000, licence plate DLJ395.

* Phone Tauranga police on (07) 577 4300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.