Cancer patient ‘heartbroken’ after thieves steal £20k work van during chemotherapy

A young man undergoing chemotherapy for aggressive cancer has been left “heartbroken” after his work van and tools were stolen from outside his home.

Tommy Holland, 25, was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt Lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-growing cancer, in late 2025.

The tiler initially dismissed hip pain as sciatica, and after experiencing chest pains and night sweats in early November, he said he was sent home from hospital with antibiotics.

Weeks later, his mother urged him to return, leading to blood tests that revealed concerning infection markers and his devastating diagnosis.

On 10 February, while Mr Holland was in hospital for his third round of chemotherapy, his Nissan Navara, containing all his essential work tools, was stolen from outside his house.

The combined value of the vehicle and equipment is estimated at £20,000.

Ring doorbell footage captures the thieves struggling to get away in the truck, having stopped outside a neighbour's house before then finally driving off.

Mr Holland, who lives with his fiancée Bethany Duffin in a town near Corby, Northamptonshire, said: "It was just heartbreaking.

"I absolutely loved my truck. It was sort of my pride and joy.

"Whether they knew it had tools in the back I don't know, but it's just completely stripped me of all of my work stuff.

“I have tried to stay as strong as possible through it because at the end of the day, as much as it is terrible, there are a lot of people out there that are probably going through a lot worse.”

Mr Holland is currently off work due to his treatment, but his sister, 30-year-old Georgie Holland, has set up a GoFundMe to replace his van and tools.

She said: “It's been a massive emotional rollercoaster, especially because it's Tommy, and I say that because he is just such a sweet soul. "[His diagnosis] has really been just a massive toll on the family ... but even throughout all of this he's remained positive.”

Ms Holland described the truck theft as a “nightmare”. “We're all working out how we can get him money and get back to his livelihood more than anything.

“That truck was really the hope that he would go back to work as soon as he was back to health and he could just jump back into it but it's preventing him from doing that.”

The GoFundMe has now raised more than £6,000 and the stay-at-home-mum says it will help Tommy to get back on his feet.

Georgie, who lives in London, said: “The response has been insane. I think Tommy is just so overwhelmed and appreciative of everything and it's given him hope as well for the future.” Tommy has another cycle of chemotherapy at the start of March. Afterwards, he will find out whether the chemotherapy has worked or if he will need further treatment.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed that shortly before 11pm on Tuesday 10 February, a grey Nissan Navara was stolen from a town near Corby.

A spokesperson said that initial inquiries have been made, “however unfortunately the vehicle has not been recovered and no-one has been arrested”.