Raising funds to replace stolen tools

If you are reading this, then you have most likely come across my call for help as a result of my close friends and family sharing on social media. This is all very new to me and to be clear from the outset, I am hoping to raise some money to go towards replacing my tools that were stolen from me whilst I was visiting my mother on the day after my father's death.

I have informed the police to report the crime and I have been in touch with all relevant insurers. Due to the fact that my tools were personal items in a work van, the insurance company will not help me and the chances of the police retrieving the tools are negligible.

To set the scene, on the evening of October 30th 2023 I received a call from out of the blue. It was my mum explaining that my dad had been taken to hospital, was very poorly, that I should talk to him and say my last goodbyes.

Now, less than a week later I am devastated to say my dad passed away shortly after the phone call. Dad had been battling with pancreatic cancer for the past year. Only two weeks prior to his death, things were looking up, the side effects of his chemotherapy had eased dramatically and he was able to come to work. Those of you that know me will be aware that I have been traveling from Nottingham to North Yorkshire for 2-3 days per week to help my dad with his forklift truck business for the past year since he fell ill.

I live in Nottingham and have a partner and 2 year old daughter. I work alongside my partner to help run her hospitality business by doing her book keeping and helping out with general running of the business.

During COVID I went back to college and took a carpentry course to gain a skill that would hopefully enable me to support my family after such uncertain times for the hospitality industry. I have been filling any spare days doing carpentry work, to make ends meet. The day before my dad died I was working on a job replacing skirting boards. I had borrowed my dad's work van to help transport my tools and materials, naturally after I heard the news I drove up to my parents house to be with my mum. The next day we went into dad's office to sort some of his things and whilst doing so, some opportunist thieves came on to the business premises, broke into my van and took all of my tools which were still in the back. All of these tools were essential for me to finish the skirting job and for me to take on more work in the future. Due to my dad's ill health he couldn't get any life insurance and I am not due to inherit any money.

I understand times are very difficult for everybody right now and I would never usually ask for financial help. I have estimated the value of the stolen goods to be approximately £3500. If anyone feels that they are in a position to help in any way I would be forever grateful.