By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
SUCCESSIVE setbacks have left a Geelong charity appealing for public assistance.
UnitingCare Geelong chief Des Younghusband said thieves had stolen the community service agency’s van from a property on Reserve Rd, Grovedale, last week.
The charity used the 15-year-old white Ford Transit van to distribute emergency relief packages for struggling local families and individuals.
“Our people work very hard trying to assist people in the Geelong community, so it does come as a bit of a blow to morale and sadly it will affect our work supporting op shops and emergency relief centres,” Mr Younghusband said.
The van, registration TAO 364, has distinct UnitingCare Geelong signage with acknowledgements of community members who funded its purchase.
Mr Younghusband said the cost of replacing the vehicle would seriously affect the agency’s work providing emergency aid.
“As an older vehicle the van was insured for market value, so will only return a few thousand dollars in insurance. At this stage we’re expecting the cost of replacing it with a new van to be around $20,000, which is a very significant expense for us.”
Mr Younghusband urged anyone with information to call Waurn Ponds Police on 5247 3500.
Donations to the charity were affected when a former entity, UnitingCare Concerns, was recently named in an Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) crackdown. UnitingCare Geelong had replaced the earlier entity but donors had failed to realise the change, said chairman Doug Thomson.
The charity was also forced to relocate to Grovedale after the Uniting Church sold its former South Geelong base.
