Food truck that fed 7,000 children and supported Leeds United charity walk stolen
A food truck that fed Leeds United charity walkers and children from low-income families has been stolen, sparking an urgent appeal for its return.
The bright yellow van was taken from Hough End Lane, Bramley, at around 2.15am on Tuesday (September 2), devastating its owner and sparking a wave of support from the community.
The distinctive “hybrid-use” vehicle, which also helps promote physical activity for children in 90 primary schools across the city, delivered more than 7,000 meals to pupils this summer as part of Leeds City Council’s Healthy Holidays Scheme.
Nick Powell, owner of the van and the company PE Partner, said: “We are a small local business supporting schools in Leeds and it is our only truck. It takes the legs out from under us at a bad time of year effectively.
“Without it, we couldn’t have fed 7,000 kids over summer so it is so important to us.
“We will be feeding the kids again at Christmas, which we would struggle to do unless we get it back.”
One side of the van carries the branding of the business, while the other has the words “Street Food Taco Truck” painted on it, alongside dozens of pineapples.
Nick said: “The police have rung me saying it keeps pinging their cameras and lots of people have contacted me on Facebook saying it has been seen around the Horsforth, Yeadon and Guiseley areas.
“The thieves are still driving it around completely signaged up about four miles away. So they aren’t the sharpest tools in the box.
“The police can’t understand it, as it’s so incredibly distinctive. You can’t miss it.”
In June, Nick and his wife Maggie, took the truck on a 100-mile round trip to support a 70-strong group taking part in this year's Gary Speed Walk.
It was the third edition after Leeds United fanzine The Square Ball introduced the idea in 2022 with a 92-mile walk from Speed's North Wales home back to Elland Road. The second walk plotted another 92-mile route, this time from Everton's Goodison Park to LS11. And this summer the walkers journeyed 120 miles from Newcastle United's St James' Park, returning to a Leeds United-sponsored welcome reception at Elland Road.
The Powells drove the van to Morton-on-Swale Village Hall and parked up to welcome the walkers, having previously counted themselves among the group. Nick walked in 2022 and Maggie joined him the following year, but injury ruled Nick out this year.
Nick said: “I decided to feed them instead with the food truck and fed all the walkers with chilli and tacos so I could still support the walk, which has raised around 250,000 for Andy’s Man Club. So the van is really well-known in the city.”
Appealing for the truck’s return, Nick added: “Call the police if you see it. The police keep saying it’s about getting a dispatch team there quick enough before it leaves. So if you see it parked up, contact the police and they will send someone.”
Anyone who has seen the vehicle should contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 13250503925.