A family in a central Edmonton is pleading for help, after a van, containing medical equipment for their young daughter, was stolen over the weekend.

Phil Hulmes said his black van was stolen from a back alley near his home in the Riverdale neighbourhood overnight Friday.

The young father said a wheelchair, walker and specialized car seat for his six-year-old daughter – along with equipment he uses for work were all taken with the van.

Little Shaileigh suffers from a rare genetic disorder, Hulmes said, and she needs that equipment for day-to-day life – without that equipment, she can’t ride in the car, or go to school.

“Please just bring the equipment back, she needs it,” Hulmes said. “I don’t need the rest of the stuff…I’ll get it back one way or another.

“It’s not fair to her to suffer for someone else’s gain, she doesn’t deserve that.”

Insurance doesn’t offer any money until the vehicle has been reported stolen for at least 30 days – Hulmes said replacing the wheelchair alone could cost about $8,600, the cost for the car seat is about $2,000.

Police confirmed to CTV News that an investigation was underway.

UPDATE (30/09/2014): The van was found in a parking lot near Commonwealth Stadium early Tuesday morning.