A Rutland-based charity has set up a fundraiser after two wheelchair accessible minibuses were stolen overnight, causing a huge knock on effect for the community it serves.

Voluntary Action Rutland has been serving the county's community for over 45 years, helping local people with transport, social engagement, home help, volunteer opportunities, emergency funding and more.

VAR reported that overnight on 2 October, two of the charity's wheelchair accessible minibuses were broken into at Oakham Business Park.

One minibus was then destroyed in a nearby field, with the engine ripped out and stripped for parts.

Minibus parts scattered in a nearby field (Photo: VAR)

According to VAR, 'Not only is this extremely upsetting for us, but as a small charity with limited resources, it will be expensive to replace even after the insurance pay-out.

'More frustrating, is the fact that these vehicles are used by schools, community groups and some of our community's most vulnerable residents for socialising and having access to amenities.

'With two (of our three) minibuses currently off the road, there will be a genuine interruption to these services, and I think VAR is one of the only (possibly the only) organisation with wheelchair accessible minibuses in the county.

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'An additional knock-on is of course the loss of revenue to the charity because of these mindless actions.'

In response to the theft and destruction of the minibuses, VAR has set up a JustGiving page to help them replace the busses.