Caravan nicked and dreams crushed

JOHN Sumner’s caravan was much more than a place to sleep. It was a space that represented his life and family.

That was until the night of February 26 when the 1970s Jayco caravan was stolen from a property on Main Rd, Granton near the Bridgewater Bridge — in broad daylight.

Mr Sumner, a builder, said that he had been living in the van on the Granton property on and off for four years.

He was hoping to move the van, which is unregistered and has no plates, on to a block of land he is close to buying — but those plans have been dashed. Now he has effectively lost his home, together with many sentimental items including family photos and poetry books written by his late mother.

“It has a lot of family history in it,” he said.

“Both my parents are deceased and I have got mementos from that.

“It’s like someone has gone and robbed my house and taken [it] with them.”

Mr Sumner has been staying at friend Glenda Fahey’s house.

Ms Fahey said two men were seen on the 26th in a white fourwheel-drive driving off with the van.

Tasmania Police are investigating and anyone with information can contact 131 444.

A fundraising page in Ms Fahey’s name is seeking to raise money for Mr Sumner. It is at www.gofundme.com/glendafa hey893-gmail-com.