A dad of three was left “devastated” when £5,000 worth of tools were stolen from his work van.

Kelvin Nash said he felt “life had been taken away” from him after his work tools were stolen.

The 32-year-old carpenter from Bursledon was working at the time of the theft at a Lidl store in Surrey.

After being parked in the store for some time, he moved his van to park elsewhere and it was then he found that the lock in the back door had been drilled into.

He was devastated - but has been able to buy new tools after his girlfriend Beccy raised around £2,000 in an online fundraiser.

Daily Echo: The back door of the van had its lock drilled intoThe back door of the van had its lock drilled into (Image: Kelvin Nash)

READ MORE: Man arrested as police locate stolen van in Southampton

Speaking to the Echo, he said: “When I looked at the back of my van that I realised that my van had been broken into.

“I saw through the window and realised that everything had been stolen from my van.”

'I was devastated'

He added: “I was angry because someone had been in my van. But then it set in and I realised that my whole life had been taken away from me.

“I couldn’t start the job I had signed up for because I didn’t have my tools, I was devastated that my whole life was gone.

"All the skills I have are used for carpeting."

READ MORE: Anger as Northam Bridge copper handrail is stolen, bit by bit

Kelvin now has some cash from the fundraiser and is able to buy new tools.

He said: “I bought the tools from the same company I had bought before and I told them what happened and they were able to give me a 10 per cent discount on my tools.”

He remains grateful to all who donated to the fundraiser and adds he hopes to repay to everyone who donated.

He said: “Even if it was £5, everyone that donated it means so much to me. When that money came in I was in tears, it was so heartwarming to see so many people willing to help.”

Surrey police are investigating the theft with no arrests having been made so far.