A CHARITY for people with dementia will have to respray its minibus after it was attacked by vandals.

The bus, owned by the Peaceful Place charity, based in Dalys Road, Rochford, was daubed with black paint.

It is used to pick up people with early-onset Alzheimers to spend a day of respite at the company’s centre, in St Luke’s Place. The bus also takes the centre’s 23 members on day trips to Hyde Hall, West Mersea, and other attractions across south east Essex.

Eric Wombersley, service manager at the charity, said: “There are betwen ten and 12 people we look after on a daily basis. A lot of them wouldn’t be able to get here on their own, and we couldn’t do our day trips without the minibus.”

The charity has a second minibus, but it is due to be put out of action because of its age.

It is also set to receive a new 17-seater vehicle in September, thanks to a £35,000 grant from the Echo’s parent company, Gannett.

However, Mr Wombersley said the vandalism would still affect the charity financially.

He said: “Obviously, we will probably lose our no claims bonus and we will have to pay an excess – all money we could have used for the benefit of the members.”

The charity is urging anyone with information about the attack to speak to police if they know when it took place.

Mr Wombersley said the vandals may not have known the bus belonged to a charity.

He said: “They wouldn’t have known what it was used for. But, sadly, that’s one of the disappointing things.

“People don’t think through the consequences of their actions.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochford police on 0300 3334444.