A HEARTLESS thief has stolen £6,000 worth of tools from a man his mother helped him buy to set up his business before passing away from Covid-19.

Paul Masters from Burnham, feels "completely heartbroken and destroyed" after his van was stolen and carpet cleaning equipment on Saturday, November 13.

He stopped off at Richway Food & Wine on Nursery Road, Taplow to get a chocolate bar after feeling "sweaty and shaky" from a hypoglycemia attack.

In his "confused and dazed state" he left the keys to the ignition on and the van unlocked as he rushed to the shop.

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Slough Observer:

He said: "I lost my aunty, mum and uncle to Covid-19 three days in a row. It's devastated me and the family. To not only go through that but lose my equipment too. I feel wretched and broken hearted about it. I'm not eating properly, sleeping properly.

"Luckily I've got a part time cleaning job at a school but it has taken me years to get one of those machines."

Paul started his business ProMasters Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning in August after his mum gave him money before passing away.

He was on his way to a job on Saturday when an 'opportunist thief' stole his van.

Police said they recovered the van but unfortunately his 'top of the range' cleaning equipment has been stolen.

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The news has rocked the Burnham community with one 'incredible stranger' deciding to set up a fundraising page to help Paul get back to cleaning carpets again.

Mr Masters said: "It's been absolutely incredible what Rehan has done for me. He isn't endorsing every lost cause but he's decided to try and help me. The local community has been great too raising that amount of money being so close to Christmas.

"I'm hoping somebody knows something. I don't know what they'd want with a carpet cleaning machine. I've even been looking on gumtree and Facebook Marketplace everyday. It has decimated my business - I'm absolutely finished and the insurance even states in black and white that because I left my keys in the ignition they won't pay out.

"But I am thankful to everyone for their donations, I can't thank each and every one of you enough."

Thames Valley Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference 43210513320.

Visit: https://gofund.me/29fdc997 to help Paul get his business back.