A minibus bought for autistic children in memory of an industrial plumber killed in a gas blast has been vandalised.

Green Wrythe Primary School’s minibus was bought after £10,000 was raised in memory of Adam Johnston, 38, from Sutton, who died when an argonite gas cylinder exploded at a building site in Hertfordshire in November 2008.

The school’s Rainbow Unit – which is dedicated to children with autism – used the bus to ferry pupils with learning disabilities to weekly horse riding and swimming lessons.

It was also used for crucial life-skills work, such as helping the children become more accustomed to different social situations, such as shopping and eating out.

But on Wednesday, September 15, the van’s catalytic converter was stolen, leaving staff unable to take children on their weekly visits into the community.

Michelle Johnston, Adam’s widow, has set up Facebook page Adam Johnston Memorial Minibus to cover the costs of the theft as the school is now forced to pay for outings from its own pocket.

She said: “It is sickening. These people stole from our children.

“I set up the page in response to the theft, but also for its long-term future. Because of the cuts in school budgets we want to make sure it keeps going for years to come.”

Mr Johnston, a former pupil at Hollyfield School, Surbiton, is survived by his children, Edward, now 11, and Alice, nine.

An advanced plumber and gas engineer, he had been working on the Hertfordshire site for five weeks, helping build a data handling warehouse.

Anne Claxton, who runs the Rainbow Unit, said: “The theft has meant we are without a van for about 10 days, which is quite long given we use it daily.

“It is a vital resource for us as it allows us to take children out for life-skills work, which their parents value more than anything else. It left the staff and parents angry and upset.”