Community Life

The  white £40,000 VW van which had the word ambulance written on the side, was used to take terminally ill patients to and from the hospice , and was one of only 2 ambulances owned by the hospice in Mare Street.

The hospice which is now left with only one ambulance to cover all of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham say's it could take up to 4 months to get a replacement vehicle on the road.

Catherine Clear St Joseph's Household and Support Services Manager said "I've had to hire a vehicle...and we're having to pay for the vehicle and pay for a driver", which she says is putting a strain on their budget. 

Although the vehicle is insured Ms Clear says "The insurance company need one full month before they can start processing our claim, and because you can't buy an ambulace off the shelf, you have to buy a vehicle and convert it which could take up to four months to get a replacement."

INFORMATION

Anyone with information about the ambulance which was stolen in February 2008, is being asked to contact Hackney Borough motor vehicle unit on 0207 275 3604.