A motorbike used by a Hyde-based charity to transport donated blood and medicine for the NHS has been stolen while it was in use, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.
The blood bike - known as 'Wolfie' - was taken from outside the home of one of the charity's on-duty volunteers in the Reddish area of Stockport at around 2.30am last Friday morning (5 August).
It was later found badly damaged in playing fields in Reddish with the help of a tracking device at around 11am.
Blood Bikes Manchester said it left them with just three bikes to cover the whole region and has impacted the service it provides.
The charity said in a statement: "It is difficult to understand the mentality of an individual or individuals who would steal a vehicle whose sole purpose was being involved in helping people from their own community.
"But to then dump it having damaged it by cutting off the camera and Scottoiler system plumbs new depths of depravity.
"Fortunately our bike was fitted with a tracker so, after some detective work from our Chairman, the Chairman’s son and daughter went into search mode and found the bike and our very own man with the van Alan was despatched with the bike trailer to go out and recover the bike aided by our searchers."
The charity has said it has left its service short and jobs may well have to be turned down which will impact on those most in need.
The statement continued: "For this we are truly sorry and will do our best to return 'Wolfie' back to the pack if at all possible as quickly as we can.
"At present the damage is already running into hundreds of pounds which we just do not have lying around so will have to do more fundraising hours and activities just to correct the actions of these louts."
A GoFundMe page, set up to help raise funds to repair the motorbike, has already raised over £2,900.
People can find out more about the charity by visiting the Blood Bikes Manchester Facebook page.
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