Latest news with #SusieVentris-Field
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Wales Online
Charity issues update following theft of food truck
Charity issues update following theft of food truck Oasis' beloved food truck was stolen in the early hours of the morning Oasis' food truck has returned to its rightful home after it was stolen in early April (Image: John Myers ) After weeks of uncertainty and distress Cardiff-based charity Oasis has announced the recovery of its stolen food trailer thanks to the efforts of South Wales Police and widespread support from the local community. The distinctive bright blue trailer – an integral part of Oasis' mission to support asylum seekers and refugees – was stolen from the charity's headquarters in Splott during the early hours of Saturday, April 5. The theft left staff, volunteers, and supporters devastated, especially as the trailer had become both a beloved local fixture and a vital source of income. In a Facebook post shared on May 15, more than a month after the theft, Oasis said: "Many people will know our Oasis Food Truck was stolen a few weeks ago... We are delighted to share that South Wales Police have been successful in tracking down our food truck and brought it back to Oasis today. We hope this will lead to justice for those who stole it. "At the moment we're assessing the damage and then will consider our next steps." Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . The food trailer, known for serving Middle Eastern and Latin American cuisine, has played a dual role in recent years – raising funds through sales at festivals and events, including the Green Man Festival, while also providing refugees and asylum seekers with valuable work experience and skills development. First acquired in 2022 the trailer quickly became a lunchtime staple at Oasis' headquarters in Splott and across community events. Article continues below The Oasis food truck has been a staple of the community since it made a permanent home for itself at the headquarters in 2022 (Image: John Myers ) Its absence had been deeply felt – especially as spring marked the start of a busy season for weddings, festivals, and street food markets. CEO of Oasis, Susie Ventris-Field, previously told WalesOnline the theft had been discovered by staff the morning after the trailer disappeared. She said: "A colleague came onto site on Sunday morning and noticed that the trailer was not there… It's a real shame right now – it's so sunny out so we would've been reopening this week. We are coming into the time of year when our food trailer would be going out to events, weddings, and festivals." The loss affected not just the charity's financial stability but also its community presence and volunteer morale. "It's been a bit of a staple of Oasis, an opportunity for us to make really good connections with not just local communities but communities across Wales," Susie said. Although Oasis is still assessing the condition of the recovered trailer the charity remains hopeful. In their Facebook statement they thanked both South Wales Police and the public for their support, noting that community sharing of the appeal had been "essential" to the recovery. "Food is and always will be at the heart of Oasis," Susie added. "Our commitment to providing food will continue to be a big part of what we do." Article continues below South Wales Police were contacted for comment.
Telegraph
15-04-2025
- Telegraph
Watch: Thieves steal refugee charity truck
Thieves have stolen a food truck from a refugee charity that was in a locked car park in Cardiff. The trailer, owned by Oasis Cardiff, was stolen on April 5 in Splott, an area in the south of the city. CCTV footage shows the criminals forcing open a padlocked gate in the early hours before towing the trailer away. The charity uses the vehicle to sell Middle Eastern and Latin American food at its head office as well as weddings, festivals and events across south Wales. Funds raised by the sales are spent on supporting migrants and asylum seekers through language classes, clothing and advice. Susie Ventris-Field, the charity's chief executive, said the theft had 'devastated' the organisation and its volunteers. 'We're devastated by this theft, especially as we are just coming into the time of year when our food trailer would be going out to events,' she said. 'It was a creative way of bringing people together to eat fantastic food and support the work we do with people seeking sanctuary. Fans of the trailer came from far and wide, and will be saddened by this terrible news.' The theft was discovered when a volunteer arrived at the charity on the morning of April 5 and discovered the trailer was missing. In a statement, the charity said: 'The Oasis team was devastated to come to work this morning to discover that our beloved Oasis Food Truck was stolen over the weekend. With summer approaching, the food truck was a local attraction in our garden and at summer festivals around Cardiff. 'If anyone in the local community saw anything or has captured any CCTV footage that may have captured some or all of the incident, please get in touch with us. 'Despite this upsetting news, at Oasis we always focus on the positives. Thank you for your continued support – we could not exist without the kind generosity of the local community. 'The truck was securely locked on our premises and it took the thieves a few hours to steal it – but unfortunately, although many cars and people passed by, no one saw anything or reported it. All normal security protocols were in place.' A spokesman for South Wales Police said: 'We can confirm we are investigating the theft of the trailer. Anyone with information or CCTV is asked to please contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2500107248.'
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
Cardiff asylum seeker charity Oasis has truck stolen
A charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers has been left "devastated" after its truck was stolen from its garden. CEO of Oasis Cardiff Susie Ventris-Field said the centre's CCTV footage revealed the "thoughtless" theft occurred at 01:00 BST on truck was used for delivering training and employment opportunities to refugees and asylum charity has appealed for anyone with more information to come forward and assist South Wales Police with its investigation. Set up in 2008, Oasis Cardiff in Splott has helped hundreds of people who have fled war or political persecution from countries including Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Albania, Libya and centre provides a "safe haven" for those in need as well as providing meals, clothing, language classes, advice and activities aimed at helping people settle in the community. Ms Ventris-Field said one of its 355 volunteers noticed the truck was missing on Sunday after arriving for their footage showed the thieves taking about an hour to break through the gates before towing the vehicle away, which she believed was done using a Land said the charity and wider community had been left "gutted".The bright blue truck was used to provide employment and catering training for refugees and asylum seekers and, while it was based in the centre's garden, it often travelled to festivals across the Ventris-Field said the truck gave the organisation a chance to engage with people and challenge stereotypes surrounding asylum seekers and refugees. Also, it served as an important source of income at events during a "very difficult time". Ms Ventris-Field said she was unsure about the charity's next steps, adding that it did not have the financial resources to replace the stolen the upsetting news, she said the charity always tried to focus on the positives and had been "amazed by how many people in the community have expressed their disappointment".
