Fundraiser launched for UK's first vegan ice cream van destroyed by fire

The man behind the UK’s first vegan Mr Whippy ice cream van has launched an online fundraiser to get back in business after a freak fire wrote off the vehicle.

Chris Reed’s ‘Happy Cow’ ice cream was the first of its kind in Britain, and as well as touring events in Bristol, had a regular spot on Narrow Quay opposite the Watershed on the harbourside in the city centre.

But last week disaster struck when the van was in for repair, and welding work sparked a fire which badly damaged the inside of the ice cream van, effectively writing it off. Mr Reed has now started a fundraiser, explaining to supporters that although the van was insured, they are likely to cover only a small percentage of the business losses.

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In a series of heartbreaking posts on the Happy Cow’s social media channels, Chris shared photographs of the inside of the ice cream van, and described how he was devastated at the fire.

“The sad news is we are dealing with insurance companies which may undervalue everything,” he said. “We have totally lost our business, meaning people will go elsewhere. We have lost the whole of the summer's revenue which is what we rely on. We have lost a pretty expensive van, also the amount of time, effort and money that went into the restoration project from day one.

“We have had to lay off staff, which I’m really gutted about as they are students and rely on an income as well. We would love to say the insurance companies are generous and cover all of this, but we will have to wait and see,” he added.

“The goal of this fundraiser is to provide some immediate funding for my small business,” he explained. “With The Happy Cow now at a total loss, insurance will only likely cover a small percentage of the business losses. So with a bit of your help we can get back to what we all love and that’s eating the only plant based whippy ice-cream in the UK, very soon,” he added.

Mr Reed said he took the Happy Cow ice cream van into the garage last Thursday, June 27, for some routine maintenance work. “During some welding work, the van caught on fire, but before the mechanic had time to put the fire out, the body of the van was already engulfed in flames.

“We are absolutely devastated to lose such a treasured part of my family in this way and also to disappoint you all,” he said, in a message to customers. “I will no longer be able to provide ice-cream to you until I can buy all new equipment. So, it is with great sadness that I have to say as of today, she has had to retire her wheels,” he added.

“I hope to bounce back very soon with some new ideas and a mark two version of The Happy Cow,” he said.