Justin and Ashley Burns

Two tourists have been left with almost nothing after their packs were stolen from their car in Nelson last night.

Nashville couple Justin, 24, and Ashley Burns, 23, had planned to drive from Nelson to Westport this morning, but woke up to find their belongings gone after someone broke into their Toyota Corolla hatchback, parked in Dodson Valley Rd, last night.

Now they have just the clothes on their backs, rain jackets, a tent, their sleeping bags, and a Christmas present that was hidden under the front seat.

The couple had been in Nelson for 10 days, staying with Mike and Rosemary Callaghan on their lifestyle block in Dodson Valley Rd under the Help Exchange programme, where people work in return for room and board.

The Burns lost an iPod, cameras, toiletries and clothing, including winter wear and shoes. Also stolen was a Christmas gift Mrs Burns was going to give her husband.

... The Burns are the first boarders the Callaghans have hosted under Help Exchange, and Mrs Callaghan said they had been \"wonderful\".

Constable Mario Sasso, of Nelson, said there had been a few thefts all over Nelson city.

\"It\'s just a bit gutting for this couple because they\'re tourists,\" he said. \"Nine times out of 10, everything\'s OK, but they got pretty stung this time. There\'s upwards of $1000 of kit in one bag alone.

\"They\'re a great couple but have lost basically everything, [and] it is frustrating. We do the best we can to locate something, but usually it\'s a member of the public that hands things in.\"

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They are planning to stay in NZ for many more months so they really need our support!

Please give a little... give a lot... make this Christmas REALLY special for my baby brother and my new sister! 

Thank you!

Alison Burns