Appeal response helps to restore some faith

It was an act of mindless vandalism – but the response restores your faith in folk. Retired grandparents Geoffrey and Carol Bowden were left devastated after their beloved motor home was set alight. To make matters worse, the blaze extended to their house and caused extensive damage.

The motor home had been used by the couple, both aged 77, for trips to Spain and the Isle of Wight.

They would spend up to six months of the year using the vehicle and, with lockdown measures and travel restrictions beginning to ease, they were probably looking forward to further adventures on the road.

Sadly, some lowlife thought it was their right to deprive the couple of such simple pleasures. What goes on in the minds of these people to carry out such a destructive act, we simply cannot understand.

Thankfully, there are still lots of good people out there. And the response of the community to what happens lifts the spirits. Their granddaughter, Dionne Talbot, set up a Go Fund Me page to help the couple cover some of the costs of the damage. And the £1,000 target was surpassed in four days.

We are happy to report Geoffrey and Carol are now looking to find a replacement so they can get back on the road. But, in a charitable act in keeping with those who rallied around them, they will be donating the excess cash raised from the fundraiser to the police and fire brigade as a thank you for their help.

We wish them happy travels and thank those who came to their assistance.