A GRANDMOTHER lost everything when a removal van was stolen as she headed for a new life in a retirement property.

A fund raising appeal has been set up to help Linda Lye following the theft in which even her late mother’s ashes were stolen.

Linda, 68, was moving from Somerset to Bournemouth on November 10 when the van containing everything she owned was left unattended by the driver in Bridgwater.

It has since been revealed that her possessions were not insured by the removal firm due to the nature of the incident. Her home insurance does not cover the incident either because she was between properties.

Linda’s son, Andy, and siblings Jenny and David have now set up a fund raising page in a bid to help her settle into her new life in Bournemouth.

He told the Daily Echo: “The van was stolen and she has quite literally lost everything, including her mother’s ashes who died in May this year. What should have been an exciting day for all of us for her retirement in Bournemouth, has turned into a nightmare.

“This awful event has had a devastating impact on all of us, specifically our mum, who literally now just has the clothes she was wearing, her handbag and some plants from her garden. She has lost everything.

“A washing machine, a bed, a TV, towels etc can all be replaced, but it’s the overwhelming loss of all the sentimental items that can never be replaced, such as photos, jewellery and specifically our Grandma’s ashes (her mum), who passed away earlier this year in May.

“Due to the Covid restrictions, we have not had a chance to scatter these as we were planning to do this next year as a family. The thought of where these may be now is sickening.”

Some of Linda’s items, including her passport, bank statements and birth certificates, have since been found in a river in Somerset.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police appealed for information and said: “Officers were called at 11.10am on Tuesday November 10 by a driver reporting the theft. The white Ford Transit, registration KN60 BFP, had been left briefly unattended in Taunton Road near to the Londis.

“If you have any information which could help the investigation call 101 quoting reference 5220253970.”

The Go Fund Me page has currently reached more than £6,000 of its £10,000 target. Go to gofundme.com/f/help-our-mums-entire-home-stolen-in-house-move