A cruel theft on a Hospice fundraising shop is a reminder that nothing is beyond the thieves and that insurance is unfortunately a worthwhile component in any charities and businesses budgeting, recovery and risk management programme.
The Waipuna Hospice was targeted and items of value, like laptops, power tools and even their own tools used to repair the goods they sell on were taken.
Their trusty Ford Transit was also stolen.
Though they will be able to claim on the contents insurance for the items stolen, it will be a long time before they have enough valuable items to sell to really get business moving again.
Business Interruption Insurance can be of immense value to a business that cannot simply move premises immediately after a incident at their current site, loses significant amounts of stock that cannot easily be reordered or a business that can restart as readily by “buying a new laptop”.
It can cover Profits, ongoing bills like Rates, Water and Power on a premises that is still owned or leased but is unfit for use and Wages, both of the principal and staff who may be vital to the ongoing success of the enterprise, for 1 or multiple years. Many businesses looking to restart elsewhere founder on the Resource Consent Act and the delays it can cause.
The original Story from the BoP Times is here:
Anna Whyte wrote
Waipuna Hospice has suffered a huge financial blow after thieves stole their van and ransacked the charity’s depot in Parkvale.
Business manager James Turner found the ransacked depot yesterday morning and thought it had happened between 4pm Saturday and Monday morning.
Almost every draw had been rifled through, soft toys lay strewn across the floor, paperwork rooms were turned upside down. Even a large wooden ship model had been moved from its original position.
Among the Items stolen were a laptop and tools used to repair items that would later be put up for sale.
The perpetrators had worn gloves.
Waipuna Hospice chief executive Richard Thurlow said he was “fuming and angry”.
“The depot is critical to the success of our shop, so to not have transport, it’s actually quite damaging. And it’s not just a loss of a van, it’s the trading. That’s a major part of our fundraising for the year. It hits everything.
“It will knock us back a few days, it doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s actually considerable, it could cost us tens of thousands of dollars. We’re going to lose out whatever happens, that’s the sickening thing.”Manager Barry Stiles said the burglary was obviously “well planned”, judging by the state the building was left in.
“They’ve gone through every single nook and cranny.”“It’s bizarre, they just spend so much time here.”
He said they had been targeted for saleable items, such as the tools and power tools.
“Now we’re at a standstill,” he said.
Mr Stiles said the hospice were still assessing the total value of the items stolen. The van was insured and the charity had contents insurance,
The hospice appealed on Facebook for any sightings of the van, which was believed to have been loaded up with stolen gear before being driven off.
The white 2007 Ford Transit Van has a registration of DUY554.
A police spokeswoman said the property had been locked and secured, but it was possible the offenders gained entry through a side door.
“The entire building has been completely ransacked which is not a nice thing at all. They’ve just rifled through everything,” she said.
If you recognise the van or have some information which might help police track down the stolen gear, or people responsible, please contact Tauranga police on 07 577 4300 or provide information anonymously on 0800 CRIME STOPPERS.
The Waipuna Hospice provide symptom control and pain management for people needing palliative care.
– It is predicted 1000 patients this year will need support
– They have about 700 volunteers supporting their service
– Over $2.4 million needs to be raised in the financial year to meet the shortfall between our Government funding and our operating costs.
If you’d like to help by donating, please go to
http://waipuna-hospice.co.nz/paymentextra/donate
See the original story here