Heartless thieves broke into a charity’s base before stealing a caravan filled with vital fundraising equipment.

The vehicle was swiped from Whitstable and Herne Bay Lions Club’s Blean headquarters in Honey Hill, near Canterbury, overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

Devastated bosses of the charity have launched an appeal for people to help them track down the vehicle in a bid to make it “too hot to handle”.

Club president Geoff Lindley and wife Alwyn told KentOnline: “It’s a big loss for us, we use it for a lot of our fundraisers, including our boot sales.

“We’ve reported the incident to the police, but unfortunately nobody has come forward with any more information.

“Our den is in quite a quiet area, so once the thieves cut through the padlock on the gate and got in, there won’t have been much for anyone passing to see.”

The caravan was used to store signs, metal posts, chairs, plastic trestle tables and litter-picking equipment – all of which were used during the club’s fundraising events.

The Whitstable and Herne Bay branch, which is part of the larger Lions Clubs International group, has been operating in the area since 1971.

It says it has raised between £15,000 and £20,000 every year for people and organisations in need of help by organising boot fairs, quiz nights, volunteer work and collections at supermarkets.

Following on from the theft, reaction to a social media appeal by the club has pleased Geoff and Alwyn.

“There’s been such a positive response by people to our Facebook posts,” they said.

“Our Twitter post has also been retweeted more than 250 times.

“We’re glad to see people are keen to help us trace down our caravan.

“We’re hoping the thieves will see it’s too hot to handle and will abandon it somewhere.”

A police spokesman has confirmed detectives are investigating the incident.

He said: “Officers are urging anyone with information that may assist their investigation to call 01843 222289, quoting the crime reference number 46/204701/22.

“You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Lions Clubs International was formed in 1917 over in the USA to help raise funds for people struggling during the First World War.

It now has branches in more than 200 countries.