CHARITY workers set to bring a 'hygiene bus' for the homeless to Bradford have had their dreams "thrown up in the air" after discovering the bus was smashed up by vandals.
Louise Savage from Redemption Bridge received a "heartbreaking" call to hear a group of youths had shattered all 15 windows on the coach as well as breaking the windscreen wipers and indicators.
The project's Rob Lindon said he felt "sick" when he first saw the damage at the storage site in Halifax while Stephen Morton, the head of the project, is yet to see the state of the bus.
Louise Savage said: "I think he's going to be absolutely devastated.
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"I've had this conversation many times: what would make us do what we do?
"When I got there the door had been jarred open and there's a back door that's slightly ajar.
"I called the police and advised them somebody had been on the bus.
"They told us not to touch it at the moment.
I felt sick when I saw what had happened when I visited this morning. It felt like a real body blow and a huge setback for our plans. But we are remaining positive and are assessing our options" - Rob Lindon, Redemption Bridge
"After the article in the paper we felt so positive about it all and it's just such a blow.
"We were going to board it up and cover the windows with tarpaulin to protect it from the elements.
But it seems the elements weren't the only obstacle the project had to face, leaving Rob with one simple question.
He said: "Why would anyone want to do something like this?
"It just seems so unbelievable. It really is mindless.
"I felt sick when I saw what had happened when I visited this morning. It felt like a real body blow and a huge setback for our plans. But we are remaining positive and are assessing our options."
The bus, set to hit the roads of Bradford, will be a place for the homeless to spruce themselves up and build practical skills.
The trio plan for the bus to have two or three showers, a toilet, clothes washing and drying facilities, a food prep area/kitchenette, a seating area, a counselling room and a hair cutting station.
READ MORE: Bradford man who witnessed "real poverty" creates homeless hygiene bus with friends
Louise told the Telegraph & Argus: "We are obviously concerned that the amount of damage to the bus is greater than its current value which would be a massive set back and could potentially leave us without a bus.
"We will push ahead with the conversion regardless as the project is so important to us to help and give back to others.
"We ask anyone that can help fix the windows or has contacts that could contact us.
"Any donations towards repairing the damage and the conversion will be great fully received."
CCTV inquries have been launched to identify the perpetrators with the investigation ongoing.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the incident took place at some time between Tuesday, September 3 at 20:20pm and 8am on Wednesday, September 4.
The police are dealing with the matter as criminal damage to a motor vehicle and ask anyone with information to call 101 or use the Contact Us option on the West Yorkshire Police website.
The crime reference number is 13190453837.
People can donate to Redemption Bridge by visiting its Just Giving or GoFundMe pages.
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