I am devastated over van theft, says cancer patient
"I am absolutely devastated," – the words of a father-of-four left unable to work after tools were stolen from his van – just days after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Vaughan Lendon-Montrose runs VLM Carpentry Services, in Kidderminster, and had hoped to do as many jobs as possible to bring in money for his family before starting treatment.
But the self-employed carpenter has been now been forced to cancel work after thieves raided his van – taking drills, a wood sander, jigsaw, nails and screws.
The 47-year-old, who set up the firm around 13 years ago, made the discovery just hours after telling his children he has cancer. "The theft was a thorough job," he said. "They have completely cleaned me out and now there is no way I can do any work at all. I have an operation coming up at the end of the month and wanted to do as many jobs as possible so I could provide for my family. Now I cannot do that. It is absolutely devastating."
Mr Lendon-Montrose mainly works alone, only taking on staff for specific projects when needed. He had only returned to work a week ago after recovering from a major operation to have a section of his thyroid removed.
The procedure took place in January and a biopsy of the removed section of gland confirmed Mr Lendon-Montrose had cancer. The diagnosis was made last Friday.
"I came out of the house on Tuesday and found the van had been broken into and the tools stripped out," he said. "Finding the theft happened the morning after I had sat down with my children to tell them I had cancer. To say I was at a low point would be an understatement."
