One of the wheelchair vans stolen from the Chris Ruth Centre in Christchurch. Photo: Supplied
A disability day service in Christchurch has had three wheelchair vans stolen in the past three weeks.
Chris Ruth Centre head Marilyn Paston said that made a total of five wheelchair vans taken in six months.
The centre offers programmes for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.
One of the wheelchair vans stolen from the Chris Ruth Centre in Christchurch. Photo: Supplied
Paston said only one van had been recovered, and she found out from police it had been used for burglaries around the city.
She said it was incredibly disheartening for the the organisation.
"People just don't realise the impact it has on the people we support," she said.
"We really rely on those vans to get people out to their activities during the day. It's just not okay."
Paston said the centre would struggle to fork out the money to replace the wheelchair vans, which can cost up to $80,000 each.
Damage done to a wheelchair van stolen and later recovered from the Chris Ruth Centre in Christchurch. Photo: Supplied