The chairman of a volunteer-led football club which had its snack van vandalised says he is “blown away” after the police donated £1,000 to help get it back on its feet.

The takeaway food unit called Peckish, which is owned by Woodpecker FC and is based at Temple Mill Primary School, Strood was broken into between July 24 and 25.

Ketchup and mayonnaise were smeared up the walls, inside and out, while all the hotdogs, buns and about 70 cans of drink were taken.

While the police had made inquiries, last week the force said “no suspects have been identified” but yesterday (August 5), club chairman Michael Winfield received a call from Chief Constable Tim Smith saying he would like to offer Woodpecker FC a donation.

The “generous gesture” is from the Kent Police Property Fund which makes sure the money generated from the auction of items seized in police operations goes towards charitable organisations in Kent.

As part of this fund, the club was offered £1,000 “to support you in getting the Peckish food van back up and running following last week’s incident”.

In reacting to the gesture, Michael said: “It’s such a generous donation I was completely blown away by it.

“It makes things a little bit better but it’s a shame that it ever happened in the first place.

“This was never anything to do with money; it was more to do with the fact we wanted people to be aware of what had happened.

“It was a lovely gesture and as a club it will go a long way in making things right again and getting Peckish back up and running, while also managing some of the security aspects.”

After accepting the offer, the club received the donation within the hour and Michael says the club is looking to invest in motion-activated CCTV, along with replacing the grill and getting the place ready for reopening.

While he is doubtful the perpetrators will be identified, he hopes the people responsible “saw the story and maybe understood the bigger impact it had on us as a club”.

District Commander for Medway, Chief Inspector Garry Cook, said: “This was a mindless act of vandalism on a much-loved food van run in the spirit of community, supporting young and aspiring football players.

“Enquiries were carried out however no suspects have yet been identified, however should we receive further information then officers will investigate accordingly.

“Kent Police was pleased to be able to offer this donation and I hope that it helps to get the truck up and running again.”

Peckish is hoping to reopen for the new season in September.