After reading on social media about our foodbank van being stolen Midlands Truck & Van Ltd Mercedes-Benz have loaned us a replacement van for a few weeks free of charge (including the insurance) until we get our own van back on the road.
But not only have they loaned us a brand new van they’ve even signed the van up with our logo too. We are so grateful for their amazing support.
Outrage
Our van was stolen on Saturday 2nd Jan from our base in Birmingham City Centre. The theft sparked outrage across Birmingham with more than 15,000 people taking to Facebook and Twitter expressing their anger and support to find the van.
All our local press media including Birmingham Mail, Birmingham Updates, Heart FM, BBC News Online and BBC WM all featured stories about our stolen van too. Read the Birmingham Mail story here.
A generous helping hand
Midlands Truck & Van Managing Director Jon Divers heard about our stolen van from his after-sales director saw it on facebook.
Jon got in touch with us by email and generously offered us the van to help us out. Marketing manager Gemma Walters said:”It’s great to be able to help out and do something in our local community.”
Blown away
This is the worst time of year for us not to have our van. As the weather gets colder our referrals double and the van is often used to pick up food donations and to deliver parcels to the elderly, heavily pregnant and the vulnerable who need emergency food but are unable to venture out during the very cold winter months.
We picked up the lovely shiny new van from their Saltley base on Friday 9th Jan. We’re really blown away by the kind support from Mercedes-Benz.
Stolen van found
After receiving an anonymous tip-off from a caller on Tuesday 6th January our stolen foodbank van was discovered stripped of its number plates and logos in Washwood Heath.
Midlands Truck & Van said we can loan their van until we get our van back on the road. Thank You so much Midlands Truck & Van Mercedes-Benz.