SALISBURY-based disaster response charity Serve On is fundraising to replace a van that was trashed by vandals.

The vehicle was damaged in Chilmark where the charity’s volunteers train.

It was used for storage so volunteers are able to deploy rapidly to disaster situations.

Paint was thrown over the vehicle and the windscreen and windows were smashed.

Vandals also ransacked the inside of the vehicle taking a radio and a battery and smashing the fuse box.

Operations manager Craig Elsdon described the vehicle as “beyond economical repair”.

He said: “We have looked at our small fleet and decided that we can most benefit from replacing the vehicle with another.

“Our intent is to fundraise and get another vehicle that will be capable of supporting our local community and communities in flooding up and down the country.

“We have already started down the fundraising road and will be one of the lucky three charities hoping to scoop a share of £1,000 during September from Waitrose, via their shopping token scheme.”

Craig added: “This setback has further stiffened our resolve to provide help, training, team work and opportunities to communities that don’t have it, as well as supporting the emergency services and statutory authorities when they need it most.”

Serve On relies on donations to keep operational and deploy teams during times of need — both locally, nationally and internationally.

The charity provides humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Volunteers from Serve On joined forces with Chilmark-based charity Team Rubicon UK last year to help communities in the Caribbean after a category five hurricane hit the area.

To find out more about supporting Serve On and their fundraising efforts go to serveon.org.uk