A citizen of the year Dundee charity leader has condemned the “absolute vandalism” which has left the group’s lifeline minibus heading for the scrap heap.
The Lifegate Community Café Ford Transit had been parked in a secure yard premises when it is thought to have been targeted in the early hours of Saturday, with windows smashed and bodywork damaged in the incident.
A significant amount of damage was also caused to the vehicle interior, including the dashboard, with a trail of blood left at the scene.
Debbie Findlay, who runs the Whitfield Church-based café, said the vandalism was a bitter blow to the charity which could be forced to scrap the minibus because it was off the road and not insured due to the pandemic.
“It is normally used to pick up people and take them to the tea dances at the church. We usually have 50 to 70 folk there and they have an amazing time,” she said.
“Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus situation we had to stop them and the Fun Factory was kind enough to allow us to park the minibus up there, off the road and secure behind gates.
“We put the minibus on a SORN certificate because it wasn’t being used, but because it didn’t have insurance since it was off the road we might have to scrap it.
“We had to do a lot of fundraising to buy the minibus and in the last four years it has been really well used, but then we have it parked up and this happens.”
Debbie, who was Dundee Citizen of the Year in 2018, added: “We have had some really good responses through Facebook with people saying we shouldn’t scrap it and should try to raise funds for its repair so that it something we will consider.”
She continued: “It is just absolute vandalism. Windows have been smashed, the bodywork kicked and the dashboard has been torn apart,” said Debbie.
Despite the tea dances being put on hold due to the pandemic, Lifegate has continued to play a vital role in the local community during the Covid-19 crisis, helping thousands of locals.
It has continued to open as a takeaway service offering soup and lunch bags, as well as groceries following support from a range of businesses and organisations.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of vandalisms in Dundee.
“The incidents involved retail premises at Milton of Craigie Road North and a vehicle parked at Balunie Drive. All of the incidents occurred during the early hours of Saturday, 8 August.
“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
