A COMMUNITY in the district is coming together to raise money to buy a popular church verger a new car after her vehicle was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Susan Laycock’s 24-year-old Peugeot 205 was destroyed in the attack, which also caused damage to two nearby cars.

The attack happened in the car park of her sheltered accommodation, Joseph Wright Court, in Brighton Street, Thackley.

Following the fire, friends and fellow church-goers of Ms Laycock have started a fundraising campaign to help buy her a new car.

Ms Laycock, 69, who works at Idle Holy Trinity Church, said the attack has left her feeling “numb”.

“I just think it’s awful,” she said.

“I am so cross, I do things with the church and help people in the community so it is an inconvenience. Thankfully I’m surrounded by a wonderful group of people at the church, my church family, who are supporting me. It is sad because the car had special meaning to me, it was given to me by a wonderful lady.”

Ms Laycock said she was hoping to celebrate the car’s 25th anniversary later this year, but she was thankful nobody was injured in the fire.

Upon finding out a fundraising page had been set up, she said it made her “so emotional”.

“I have kept going without a tear but now I’m in a bit of a whirl.

“Everyone has been amazing, all my friends at the church have really helped,” she added.

Brenda Kimber, a friend of Ms Laycock, set up the fundraising page, which had raised more than a quarter of its £2,000 target within the first 18 hours. She said: “We have been friends for a long time, and I was so shocked to find out what had happened.

“I live near to Susan and a couple of people said we ought to fundraise, so I set the page up.

“She is a very popular figure around Thackley, and I can’t think of a reason someone would do this.”

One crew from Idle fire station attended the fire at 5.06am on Monday, which also damaged two nearby cars.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers were investigating the incident as arson and criminal damage. He added: “Police were called at 5.22am on Monday by the fire service to a report of a car fire in Brighton Street, Thackley.

"Officers attended and found the fire had burnt out a Peugeot car and caused damage to two other vehicles. Further enquiries are being made. Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time is asked to contact the Bradford East Area Neighbourhood Team on 101, quoting crime reference 13170080068.

“Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brenda-kimber.

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