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An RNLI volunteer and his children were left "soaked and standing in the rain" after thieves towed away his pick-up truck - crashing into another vehicle in the process.
Wayne Black, of Dymchurch, and the RNLI team use the Mitsubishi L200 to get to Littlestone station on Romney Marsh when the team is on an emergency call.
He says Saturday's theft not only ruined his family's bonfire night in Rye in East Sussex, but has left him unable to get to the station if needed in an emergency.
It also saw him left without a uniform for the following day's Remembrance Sunday service, where he was due to represent the RNLI with the team.
Recounting the night, he said: "The truck was parked next to the rugby club in Rye, and we went in to enjoy the night.
"We got absolutely soaked because it wasn't very nice weather, but in the end we left having had a great time.
"We walked up and down the lane a few times because I thought I'd forgotten where I parked it, but then I saw muddy tyre tracks leading away from where I was sure I left it.
"I immediately phoned the police, and also called my daughter at home to double check if my spare keys had been taken, but they were still there."
Mr Black's daughter then appealed for help in a local Facebook group, where a separate appeal from another user helped piece together the situation.
He explained: "A lady who had also been at the night was asking for information about somebody who hit her parked car.
"We all pieced together that whoever stole my car towed it away, and in doing so crashed into this poor family's Vauxhall.
"I was due to be with the team at the Remembrance Sunday parade the following day, and the car had my uniform in it for that, so it was doubly devastating.
"It's very reassuring to feel like people care" - Wayne Black
"We've contacted police, and the last CCTV footage of the truck showed it being towed through Appledore."
Mr Black was recently featured on KentOnline for spending 24 hours in a life raft to raise money for charity.
He said the reception to the challenge and the response to his appeals for help after the theft were two examples of the benefits of having a caring community.
He said: "Everyone locally has been fantastic in getting the word out too, it's very reassuring to feel like people care - I'm hoping that we can make the truck too hot to handle.
"I'd also like to extent a special thank you to Rye Rugby Club, because even though they were closing for the night they took us in and got us dry and warm after we were left soaked and standing in the rain.
The 4x4 is a black Mitsubishi L200 with the numberplate WM63 AKJ.
Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact Sussex Police, quoting reference SXP-20191109-1408.
Sussex Police has been contacted for comment.
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