HEARTLESS thieves stole a crucial electricity generator from a charity working on a project to keep rough sleepers off the streets at night.

Colchester Rough Sleepers Group is converting a second-hand double decker bus - named Chariot 180 - into a place for a dozen homeless people to sleep, as well as a drop-in centre during the day.

But the vital generator which provides electricity required for volunteers was stolen from the storage area where the bus is being renovated meaning work had to temporarily stop.

The group’s project manager Vic Flores said he was horrified people would target the group and thought it would have taken a number of people to steal the kit.

He said: “It is definitely a two-man lift.

“The area where it is kept is protected by massive fencing which I can’t believe you would be able to climb over.

“It has put the project back a couple of weeks.

“It is just incredibly disappointing somebody would steal from an organisation which is trying to help people who have absolutely nothing.

“The generator was bought entirely with donations which we crowdfunded through our Just Giving page.

“It is just so disappointing.”

Volunteers are now planning to install CCTV on the bus and purchase a large chain to secure a replacement generator.

Mr Flores said the theft had now strengthened the resolve of the rough sleepers group who were determined to get the bus on the road.

He added: “I would not be surprised if between us we were putting in 150 hours between us per week to try and make this happen.

“Then it hurts when you get a setback like this.

“It knocks you and honestly we had a couple of days where we were down in the dumps.

“But now we are absolutely determined this will not put us off our stride.

“We want to keep going on something which will provide a service which the borough desperately needs.

“We are still hopeful we can get something on the road and ready to be in service for this winter.”

Since the theft, which occurred between last Saturday and Wednesday, the group has been offered help and donations from supporters.

Mr Flores added: “The response has been incredible.

“We are getting so much support from the project from all member of society.

“It is absolutely wonderful.

“The amount of people we have been able to reach is unbelievable.

“The theft has led to other offers and conversations which we may not have had otherwise.

“Losing the generator has meant they have got in touch.

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

The group had planned for a year of fundraising to buy the bus, but were stunned when an anonymous benefactor donated £25,000.

It is hoped the bus will pick people up from the town centre and drive them to a safe place to park up and sleep during the night.

A fundraising page has been launched to try to pay for a new generator which is expected to cost between £400 and £500.

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michael-clark-1.

Anyone with any information should call police on 101.