By Jenny Barwise

Last updated 13:44, Friday, 04 July 2008

Volunteers at a youth karting club are devastated after thieves stole karts and equipment worth £8,000.

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Legend: John Surtees

Racing for Buttons, a not-for-profit organisation which runs from Rowrah Karting Stadium, near Lamplugh, is offering £500 for any information leading to the recovery of the karts.

It allows children from low-income backgrounds to race around the track for a minimal charge, but because of the theft, the scheme has been suspended until further notice.

Yesterday, the volunteers who run the event discovered three karts, six helmets, gloves and suits had been stolen, after the lock on the secure compound they were kept in was cut. The theft happened between 8pm on Wednesday night and 1pm yesterday.

One of the karts – a Zip Puma WTP engine – was donated by former car and motorcycle world champion John Surtees and was worth £3,500.

A World Formula Birel kart, engine number wf000106, which was bought with a £2,500 lottery grant, was also taken, along with a blue Honda Racing for Buttons kart worth around £1,500.

Volunteer and chairman of Racing for Buttons, Mike Armstrong, believes the thieves knew what they were coming for, as they stripped other karts to repair the three that they took – a job that would have taken at least two hours.

They also looked through the helmets and suits to get the best quality ones.

Mr Armstrong said: “I am devastated that somebody would come along and do this when it is all for kids’ enjoyment.

“I love to see the kids come up when they have never been on a kart before and suit them up and put them on the track and see their faces.

“We have put so much work and effort in to build it up to what it is.”

The club, which has been running for several years, holds an annual competition due to take place on July 19 this year. They have had to cancel the event because the first prize was a year’s usage of the kart donated by John Surtees.

“The kids were all devastated when we told them, as it gives them a free step up the ladder,” said Mr Armstrong.

Descriptions of the karts are being circulated nationally on the UK Karting website and Mr Armstrong is appealing to ex-karters, businesses or anyone who can help the scheme out with donations of equipment to contact him on 07826 724588.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 33 00 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.