HEARTLESS thieves stole a Kidderminster youth club’s minibus as the group was putting on its popular and packed summer programme.
Two raiders targeted the KDYT (Kidderminster and District Youth Trust) premises around 12.35am last Wednesday.
The pair broke into the vehicle which was parked on the Youth Club car park on Bromsgrove Street. One drove it away and the vehicle’s number plates were found discarded in a river near Tenbury but the minibus itself has not been seen since.
The minibus allowed the local youth charity to provide a range of trips and residentials to young people and the theft has meant it had to source a temporary replacement for this year’s summer events. The packed programme sees young people visiting attractions and taking part in a range of activities.
The provision is so popular the group filled both KDYT minibuses on every trip with waiting lists operating for more places.
KDYT works with young people from across Wyre Forest, providing mentoring, youth clubs, day trips and residential weekends and also joins up with a range of partner agencies to ensure young people get the support they need when they need it.
A total of 81 per cent of members come from the top 20 per cent most deprived areas of England, with 98 per cent of members joining KDYT on the recommendation of their friends.
Cat Bennett, KDYT’s senior youth worker, said: “The loss of the minibus is upsetting for young people and the KDYT team who are working hard this summer – thankfully we have been able to borrow a minibus from Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club which means we can deliver our very popular summer programme.
“During this time we need two minibuses to take young people to activities.
“We have insurance but this is a long process – another issue we are facing is the stolen minibus was in incredible condition with no rust and only 26,000miles on the clock – the insurance will only pay what a standard 2008 minibus is worth, the majority of these have high mileage, and have been well used with damage and lots of rust.
“We will not let the selfish actions of a few ruin things for young people, but we are facing a struggle to get a bus as good as the one we lost.”
KDYT has been on the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 to share its story, during a phone-in about the Ford Transit’s 60th anniversary.
The Trust celebrates its own 60th anniversary in 2026 and describes this as a ‘cruel irony’.
Anyone who can help the group with a permanent replacement minibus of similar standard to the last one is urged to email KDYT’s operations manager Mike Brooke at: [email protected] or call him on 01562 228113.
Visit: kdyt.org.uk or facebook.com/KDYTyouth for more on KDYT and its activities.
Crowdfunder launched
A fundraising page has been launched by Ricky Carter to help pay for a new minibus for the KDYT. Click here for more and to donate.
