A FUNDRAISING appeal has been launched to purchase a replacement minibus for a Chester community football team, after their old one was badly vandalised.

On Monday we reported that the Blacon Youth FC bus, used to transport youngsters to football matches across the region, was subjected to "prolonged" vandalism in an attack believed to have happened on Saturday night (March 5).

Photos published show the extent of the damage, with windows smashed and the dashboard pulled out, with wires sprawled everywhere.

The bus had been given to the club by Highfield Community Primary School.

Ian Tyrrell, speaking on behalf of the club, said: "We are absolutely speechless, really. The mindless vandalism is just devastating.

"The bus was supposed to be used to take young children to Blackpool for their tournaments, and now this has happened, the bus is a write-off and we have to pay for it to be scrapped.

"There is now no way we can use it, we can't afford the cost of the repair."

Now a fundraising webpage has been launched for the club, which is fully self-funded through fundraising activities, parental involvement, volunteering and sheer hard work.

Proceeds from the new Justgiving page appeal will go, organisers say, towards a second-hand minibus.

As well as transporting the local football squads from Under 4s to senior level, the bus has been used to support local initiatives, transport Easter egg donations and Christmas presents, and help people in need all year round.

Last year the bus was a back-up for four Blacon friends who completed an 800-mile bike ride, raising £9,000, split between two charities close to their hearts – Stroke Association and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

People can donate online at https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/byfcminibusappeal

An investigation into the cause of the vandalism is under way, which is believed to have been carried out by six youths – five male, one female.

CCTV footage from the bus has been passed on to Cheshire Police.

Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police here quoting IML 1217259. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.