Rotary club members devastated after van used to help the elderly stolen

The Broadbeach Rotary Club is desperate to locate their van and mobility scooter service equipment after it was believed to be stolen in Ashmore on Thursday night.

A BROADBEACH charity group has been left devastated after their van was stolen in a late night smash and grab.

Members of the Broadbeach Rotary Club arrived at their Ashmore garage on Friday morning to find the door smashed in and their van gone.

The group are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious around Hinde St on Thursday night.

The van was stolen late last week. Pic Mike Batterham

The van was used to transport mobility scooters to elderly locals who couldn’t afford their own and provide a free service or repair when needed.

It was also used to move a BBQ and equipment around that was used for sausage sizzle fundraisers.

The van — a Mitsubishi Express, with Queensland number plate 236 SJR — and tools used to service the scooters were taken some time between 7pm Thursday and 7am Friday.

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Broadbeach Rotary president, Pauline Armstrong, said the van was essential for the charity’s work.

“We have about 52 mobility scooters that we hire out to those who can’t afford to buy their own,” she said.

“Everything we need to operate has been stolen.”

Ms Armstrong said the van was ensured, but the club would struggle to afford the excess.

Club President Pauline Armstrong says they will struggle to make up the excess. Pic Mike Batterham

“It’s devastating, our members will have to use their own vehicles for our charity work now, where possible,” she said.

She said the club had been robbed a couple of times over the years.

“It’s sad to think that people would steal from a charity,” she said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Link on 131 444.