Thieves cause thousands of pounds damage to mobile cancer support unit

The unit, known as LOROS Local, is now out of action during the organisation’s most important time of the year for raising awareness of its services - Hospice Care Week - including the annual fundraising Open Day at the weekend.

And the charity says the repair work needed could mean the resource won’t be available for upcoming complementary therapy clinics in Melton.

Director of Care Services for LOROS, Jo Kavanagh said: “We’re disappointed and saddened that LOROS Local has been targeted and at such an important time for us as a hospice.

“Hospice Care Week is about raising awareness of our services and how we support the local community - LOROS Local is a vital part of this.

“Not only will this affect planned events, but without our mobile resource centre, patients and their families will not receive support out in the community, which is very sad.”

LOROS is unsure how long it will take to repair the damage caused, and how much this will impact on the services offered to patients and families in the community.

Pam Farmer, a carer who receives complementary therapy on LOROS Local, said: “Having access to LOROS Local is just that little bit of help for carers like me, and to have it taken away like this is just awful. It’s mindless.

“The people who damaged LOROS Local may need the services themselves one day. I’m so disappointed.”

The incident has been reported to Leicestershire Police.

Anyone with information about it is asked to contact offices by calling 101.