AN act of “deliberate” vandalism on a van owned by a Bradford- based homeless charity has hindered the organisation’s work in the lead-up to Christmas.

The windows of the van, owned by the InTouch Foundation, were smashed by vandals while it was parked outside the home of the charity’s founder.

Osman Gondal, founder and chief executive of the InTouch Foundation, had arrived at his home in Allerton Road, Allerton, just half an hour before the attack took place.

He said the incident, which happened on Wednesday night, was a deliberate attack on his vehicle.

He said: “I came home from work late on Wednesday evening, about 8pm, and everything was fine, then at 8.30pm I got a call from a neighbour saying the windows of the van had been smashed.

“It was a deliberate act of vandalism. Both the driver and passenger side windows were smashed, but nothing was taken from inside the van.

“There were a number of other vehicles on the street at the time, including my car, and none of the others were damaged.

“The van is clearly marked as a charity van.

“We help the homeless and people living in poverty in Bradford, so for someone to do that to a community asset, it makes me very sad to be honest.”

InTouch has been operating a mobile soup kitchen in Bradford since December 2012, visiting the Crown Court car park in Drake Street every Monday between 6.30pm and 8pm.

It operates mobile soup kitchens in Church Street, Keighley, from 6.30pm to 8pm every Wednesday.

It also operates a food bank from its base in Manningham Lane, works on a variety of propjects in the community, and provides help to people overseas.

Mr Gondal said the charity’s work is going to be seriously affected by the vandalism.

“Because of this attack we have got to spend money which is allocated to buy food for the charity’s work to get the van repaired.

“I imagine it will cost a few hundred pounds to get fixed.

“It is going to be off the road for a few days and it will have a big impact on our service.

“We are trying to get the van back on the road as quick as possible. It’s going to impact people on the streets, and those who cannot get a hot meal or what they need.

“The amount of support I have got from neighbours and friends has been nice, they cannot understand why someone would do this.”

Mr Gondal said he will be reporting the incident to the police, and didn’t report it at the time as he was caring for his son who was ill.

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Labour, Thornton and Allerton) said the attack was “absolutely disgusting”.

He said: “That somebody could do something like that to a van that is quite clearly a charity van and helps the needy at this festive period is disgusting. People need to look long and hard at what they’re doing and the people they’re affecting.”

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