Vandals destroy sick children's minibus

Now the Tree of Hope Children's charity is launching a major fundraising campaign to get mobile again as soon as possible. The charity's 10-year-old minibus was kept over night in the Manor Road area of Hastings when vandals tried to force their way in. Windows were smashed and the bodywork badly damaged. Corrine Gardner, founder and chairman of the Tree of Hope, in Bexhill, said the charity was looking at at least 10,000 to get a decent second hand minibus. "We are asking everyone to help us replace the damaged bus, the public and business people alike. The bus was used constantly to take children to airports and sick children to treatment centres all over the country when no other transport is available. It was also used to take equipment needed for charity stands at functions during the year, including the weekend's Bexhill 100. "It was quite old but it did get us by." The minibus had been tampered with once before and Corrine is determined any new bus would be as tamper proof as possible. The charity would welcome help from businesses or companies in return for sponsored logos on the bus. "We have lots of children needing transport all the time," said Corrine. "It is a bit of a worry. To the vandals I would said they are the lucky ones, the sick kids are not. "You have to feel sorry for people like that because they do not know well off they are when you have children who are too weak to walk or talk, or children with brain tumours. "The minibus in its way gives them a chance of life. These vandals are jeopardising these children's chances of life."