WE are not giving in – that’s the message from an arson-hit Dawlish transport charity.

Staff and volunteers at arson-hit Dawlish Community Transport say they have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support since losing at least four of its vehicles in the blaze.

But the team is determined to keep the charity operational and providing its services of affordable and accessible transport.

Police have now released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to and identify in connection with the blaze which broke out in the early hours of Friday, July 14, in Barton Hill car park.

Confirmed to have been started deliberately, the fire completely destroyed four of the charity’s vehicles.

Manager Sally Preston said it had been thought of its nine vehicles, five may have been lost.

But thanks to the charity’s vehicle repair company, one of the cars may be salvaged.

Insurance assessments are ongoing and the car park has to be repaired.

Service users can still rely on having vehicles for transport, despite the blaze.

Sally said: ‘We have definitely lost four vehicles, two buses and two cars.

‘But we are still operational and functioning.’

GM Coachworks has loaned the charity replacement vehicles so it can continue to provide its services.

However, there has been a £280,000 like of like loss and there is ‘absolutely no chance’ of replacing some of the vehicles as they were built to specification for the charity.

Among the vehicles lost is Bert’s Bus, named after the charity’s original founder Bert Hartnell, as well as vehicles named after individuals including Eric, named recently after one of its longest serving volunteer drivers.

Apart from then financial loss, there is a ‘human impact’ but the volunteers are determined to carry on providing a service for those who need it most.

Replacing these vehicles as they were, could take up to 18 months and they were funded by Lottery cash, anonymous donations and fund raising.

Staff and volunteers have been heartened by the support from the community since news of the fire broke.

Sally said: ‘It is soul destroying but we are optimists and we keep going.

‘We spent seven years building up that fleet but we have vehicles remaining.

‘But the support has just been incredible, we have enough cakes, sweets and chocolates to last for a year.

‘We have been flattered and completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve had.

‘The community spirit is invaluable to us.

‘The whole community relies on this on all levels.’

A Go Fund Me page raised almost £5,000 in days following the fire.

Other partner organisations stepped in to help keep the charity operating.

► Anyone who may be able to help with the police investigation and identity the man in the CCTV footage is asked to contact police via the force website or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50230195029.