A racing team for young drivers has been left devastated by the theft of its van and thousands of pounds worth of go-karts.

Ambition Motorsport found its Mercedes Sprinter had gone missing from outside the Sittingbourne home of team principal Paul Janes last week.

It contained karts used by the youngsters, as well as items such as an awning and spare parts.

Mr Janes, of Northwood Drive, said it was taken overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

He said: “I left the van parked outside in the street after helping a six-year-old driver and didn’t have enough time to get back to the unit and in the morning it was gone.

“We run the kart racing team and get out every weekend to get the kids off the streets and enjoy it.

“I’ve got about 30 kids who are very upset about what’s happened.

“It would be nice if we could get the van back but it’s the equipment that matters to us.”

Mr Janes, who is 33, said an unforeseen problem with paperwork meant the contents of the van were uninsured.

A JustGiving page has been set up to raise the £20,000 to £30,000 needed to cover the cost of replacing what has been taken.

It had raised more than £7,500 by the time we went to press, including one donation of £5,000.

The theft did not stop the team, which has about 30 drivers who are aged between six and 15, from taking part in the British Kart Championships in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, at the weekend.

A grateful Mr Janes added: “A lot of people in the karting industry have helped us out.”

A police spokesman said they were investigating the theft and inquiries were continuing.

The van – registration LM17 WCC – had a small Ambition Motorsport logo on the back right hand door. It is understood to have been seen in Bell Road in the early hours of Thursday.

To support the team with a donation, visit www.tinyurl.com/AmbitionMotorsport

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Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne