Drought Angels charity truck loaded with Christmas donations for Queensland farmers ‘badly damaged’ by thieves

Thieves have badly damaged a Drought Angels truck loaded with £250,000 in donations for bushfire affected farmers, according to the charity.

The truck was stolen from a warehouse at Loganholme, south of Brisbane, in the early hours of Sunday morning, and found about 9am on Monday.

It was carrying mattresses, bedding, furniture and toys for a charity sale to support farmers affected by bushfires near Tara on Queensland’s Western Downs.

Drought Angels volunteer Ian Stanley said the thieves were “heartless”.

It was unclear if any donations had been stolen, but the truck was “not in a good state”, he said.

“The back of the truck has been destroyed and we can’t physically open the doors, it’s been so badly damaged.”

The truck was loaded with donations for farmers affected by the Western Downs bushfires. (Supplied)

Mr Stanley said the thieves appeared to know their way around the warehouse and also took 50 laptops and large TV monitors.

Queensland Police said the robbery happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“They’ve seen the truck and thought ‘we’ll take that too’.

It’s purely opportunistic,” Mr Stanley said.

Drought Angels CEO Jason Law said it was a blow for farmers just before Christmas.

“Farmers say they feel forgotten, they generally live in isolation so Christmas can be a tough time for those who live on the land,” he said.

Mr Law said the recent El Nino declaration and dry outlook had put many farmers on alert.

“The recent rains have helped ease that, but they know drought is around the corner,” he said.

“Just think of the farmers who put the food on your table this Christmas.”

Police are investigating the robbery.