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Charity van which helps people in Philippines burnt out in arson attack in east Belfast

A van belonging to the Ten Foundations charity was burnt out in what police are treating as a hate crime. Picture from Ian Campbell/Facebook
A van belonging to the Ten Foundations charity was burnt out in what police are treating as a hate crime. Picture from Ian Campbell/Facebook A van belonging to the Ten Foundations charity was burnt out in what police are treating as a hate crime. Picture from Ian Campbell/Facebook

THE founder of a charity which helps families and children in the Philippines is to launch a fundraising appeal after the organisation's van was burnt out in what police are treating as a hate crime.

The van, and a parked car beside it, were seriously damaged in an attack at Bramcote Street near the Beersbridge Road in east Belfast at 3.50am on Sunday.

Belfast man Ian Campbell, who set up Ten Foundations in 2012, said he believed the van was deliberately targeted because of the charity's work.

Ten Foundations has helped to build an orphanage and runs sustainable livelihood programmes to enable women to support their families by making schoolbags with sewing machines purchased by the charity.

In 2015, Mr Campbell received the Point of Light volunteering award from then Prime Minister David Cameron in recognition of his work with the charity.

Mr Campbell told The Irish News: "There was an incident six months ago where we had all four tyres slashed. We gave it the benefit of the doubt on that occasion, that it was a random act of destruction, but people know what we do, and it says on the van."

"It was very lucky that it didn't spread to the neighbour's house. An elderly couple live there and if the Fire Service hadn't arrived when they did, the fire could have been at their door within five minutes."

The charity's van is a vital accessory to its work at its two shops in Newcastle and Belfast, and in touring schools.

"The van is ten years old. We don't think the insurance will cover it and I am about to put a JustGiving page up," said Mr Campbell.

"I might get a lend of a van, but we don't have a lot of back-up cash and can't just go out and buy one.

"Nobody was hurt and that's the main thing. I have received a lot of phone calls and support since it happened," he added.

A car belonging to a friend of Mr Campbell, who had been staying with him while attending an event in Belfast, was also seriously damaged.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.