BOSSES of a water rescue charity based in Upton-upon-Severn have expressed their anger and said lives have been put at greater risk after thieves stole vital parts to one of its ambulance vehicles.
The Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue team are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a winch and front bumper from the charity’s Land Rover Defender 110 Ambulance was stolen at its station at Upton Marina.
The incident is believed to have happened sometime last Thursday evening (March 24) and has cost the charity around £600.
Thomas Barrett, crewman for the rescue team, said the offenders have put other people’s lives in danger as a result.
“This theft is very damaging to our Rescue Team as we only have two Land Rovers and now our main vehicle the 110 is off the road,” he said.
“We will now only be able to respond to incidents with one vehicle and one boat whereas we would normally have both vehicles and two boats.
“We as a team are very upset that someone would steal from our charity and risk putting other peoples lives in danger.
“We are a charity comprised entirely of volunteers and it will take some time before we can raise the funds required to get this vehicle back on the road.”
The charity has appealed to the public to help donate the funds so they can help pay for vital vehicle repairs.
Donations can be made by its Paypal account at [email protected].
