Local charity appeals for help after van stolen in Long Eaton

By Helen Purcell

A local charity that delivers essential services to some of the most vulnerable families across Nottingham and Erewash has had its van stolen in Long Eaton.

Charity co-founder Brad Moore was in the area on Saturday evening to help the Erewash Musical Youth Society remove its set from the Duchess Theatre when the van was taken.

Nottingham-based Operation Orphan is a global charity supporting the wellbeing of impoverished children worldwide. The stolen van is primarily used to deliver beds and other vital items through the charity’s local initiative, Forget-Me-Notts.

Co-founder Cyrilyn Moore previously highlighted the urgent need for beds and essential household items, recalling one family they supported where “children were sleeping in the car because there were no beds”.

To date, Forget-Me-Notts has provided more than 1,500 beds to children in need, alongside other household essentials. One of the charity’s core principles is offering more than the bare minimum, allowing families dignity and choice.

The theft has left the charity unable to accept further referrals or complete deliveries until the van is recovered or replaced.

Cyrilyn said: “The van is used to deliver aid to vulnerable families in Erewash and Nottinghamshire, and while we are without it, we are unable to complete our referrals.

“If anyone knows the whereabouts of our van, please contact the police with any information. Financial donations would be hugely helpful, and if anyone has a van [that] we could use to continue our essential work, that would be incredible.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “We received reports of a white Peugeot Boxer van [registration KT19 TYU] being stolen from a car park in Stanley Street, Long Eaton, sometime between 7.30pm and 10.40pm on Saturday 7 February.

“Officers are investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact us and quote incident number 26*077179.”

Information can be provided via the Derbyshire Constabulary website, by messaging the force on Facebook, or by calling 101. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Those wishing to support Forget-Me-Notts can donate via the charity’s website.