A dad’s 20-year dream of owning a camper van was crushed after it was stolen within months of him buying it.
Alan, who runs social inclusion charity Kilburn State of Mind, had put all his savings into buying the vintage Volkswagen and was looking forward to taking his family on the road around the UK this summer.
Now the Hampstead Garden Suburb resident, who did not want to give his surname, says he feels “broken” after the van was stolen, a day before a planned family getaway to the New Forest National Park.
The white Volkswagen camper van, E109 SHB, was stolen last Sunday (April 30) in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area.
Alan, 47, explained that he and his partner had put “all of their savings” into buying his dream vintage vehicle, money that was hard for them to pull together given his low income dedicating his life to the charity.
He said: “It was in amazing condition and a dream come true, really. I mean it’s something I’ve wanted for 20 years, and it was beautiful.”
Owning the van to “pack up and go” was an important goal for the new father after suffering a bout of depression.
He said: “We just had our first baby, and it was so we could play and have our own little space.”
From there he hoped to have regular getaways with his family after “difficult” recent years.
In the few months he had the vehicle, his family excitedly prepared for their journey, including his daughter who helped clean up the interior.
Having lived in the area for three years, he called the theft “soul destroying” after saying he “worked hard” to save up the money.
He continued: “I’m surprised how it’s really affected me quite badly – we’re a humble family, this is all we really wanted. It’s devastating since we were supposed to be away.”
The Metropolitan Police are investigating the theft, but Alan says he is “losing hope” that the van will be returned.
“I can’t really save for anything to be honest, it’s going to be really hard to replace, “he said.
Alan added: “Even if we did have the money, this one was just perfect.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference: CAD 3193/1May.
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