Woman’s ‘dream camper van’ torched overnight in Didsbury on Valentine’s Day
The owner said she was 'heartbroken' to find her beloved van - the 'only thing she had ever owned' - had been torched in a 'mindless' act of vandalism.
Members of the West Didsbury community are pooling their money together to help a young woman replace her ‘dream’ camper van after it was set alight on Valentine’s Day.
A local resident said she was ‘heartbroken’ to find her beloved van – the ‘only thing she had ever owned’ – had been torched on Sunday (February 14) evening.
The culprits appear to have used the vehicle’s spare petrol can to start the fire – which ripped through the van’s interior and left the contents destroyed.
The vehicle had been fully restored, revamped and decorated by the owner herself – who also lost a number of sentimental items in the blaze including some precious scarves.
Police were apparently ‘shocked’ at the egregious act of vandalism, which took place on Lapwing Lane in Didsbury at around 11pm on February 14.
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Anyone who might have dashcam footage of the incident after travelling through the nearby area around West Didsbury Tram Stop on Sunday evening is being encouraged to come forward.
In the meantime, a fundraiser has been launched on GoFundMe to raise enough money for the owner to purchase a brand new van.
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The charred remains of the vehicle after the fire / Image: GoFundMe page – Dan McGlynnThe original van – Image: GoFundMe page / Dan McGlynn
The GoFundMe page reads: “Jemma [the owner] has put her heart and soul into restoring, renovating and building her dream camper van.
“With limited funds she has done nearly all this work herself and it has taken a long time. She was recently thrilled to learn that it had passed it MOT with flying colours and was very excited to be able get out on adventures creating life long memories.”
The fundraiser has already generated over £2,800, with more than 100 people donating so far.
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“Let’s come together as a community to help Jemma to to be able to realise her dream again, and get her out on those adventures,” said the GoFundMe organiser, Dan McGlynn.
“And let’s show that the Didsbury community is much bigger and better than the horrible people that did this.”
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find a National Lottery player in Tameside who’s won £1m – and not claimed it.
The missing millionaire won the huge prize on a Lotto ticket bought on Wednesday 1 July, somewhere in the Borough of Tameside.
But with just two months to go until the prize expires, the player has still not come forward to claim their winnings.
The winning numbers in were 5, 8, 26, 33, 39, 42 and the Bonus Ball was 54.
Now, the National Lottery is renewing its search for the millionaire, calling for the mystery winner to cash in their prize before it expires at midnight on 28 December.
National Lottery Senior Winners’ Advisor Andy Carter has been out in Tameside ‘hunting’ for the missing millionaire, visiting everywhere from Portland Basin to Hartshead Pike.
Andy said: “I’ve searched high and low across Tameside for our missing millionaire, but I’ve had no luck.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings. Credit: Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
“With just two months left to claim this £1 million prize, now is the time for anyone who bought a Lotto ticket in Tameside for the 1 July draw to have another look.
“The winning ticket could be tucked away somewhere completely ordinary, while its owner has absolutely no idea they are a millionaire.
“We’d love to find the person we’ve been looking for and turn this search into a celebration. So, if you bought a ticket in the area, dig it out, check those numbers and help us find Tameside’s missing millionaire. It could be you.”
With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize if they have the winning ticket. Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Featured image: Supplied – Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
News
Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.
The Manc -
16th February 2021 
