A treasured motorhome - in which daughters enjoyed a final trip with their dad before his death aged 38 - has been stolen.

The family of Whitstable father Tom Lambert have been left heartbroken following the theft, and are desperate to see the precious vehicle returned.

Tom's widow, Bianca Lambert told KentOnline today: "It's what we've got left of my husband, and the memories we made when he was still well enough to enjoy life. We just want it back."

Tom, a much-loved teacher who taught at Meredale Independent Primary School in Rainham, was just 36 when he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2014.

Bianca recalled: "With two young children this news was an absolute blow and left us all totally heartbroken."

Tom's dying wish was go on one last epic adventure, travelling through Europe with his wife and daughters.

"We decided to embrace the moment and make the best of what time he had left," said Bianca. "We put all our savings into buying a motorhome and we packed up on a three-month European adventure."

Taking their daughters out of school and with their two dogs in tow, the family set out on the trip of a lifetime - creating lasting memories together as they travelled thousands of kilometres from Spain, through Portugal and the south coast of France, and down Italy, before heading up through Germany and back home.

"It was an incredible experience," said Bianca. "It came with challenges - we had to go to A&E a couple of times - but all in all it's what Tom wanted. It was his dying wish that we had that time together."

Shortly after they returned home, Tom took a severe turn for the worse and was admitted to the Pilgrims Hospice - a charity for which Bianca and her daughters have since raised nearly £11,000.

"My husband sadly lost his life a little while later," said Bianca. "Tom was an incredible husband, father, son, brother and friend and we miss him so much."

The campervan the family travelled in has since held a hugely significant place in the hearts of Bianca, and daughters Emily, 13, and Lizzie, eight.

The trio regularly go on camping trips together, and cherish the memories it holds.

"We try and hold onto what we can with my husband but it's difficult when things like that are just taken from you..."

"It's not just a clump of metal," said Bianca. "It's more than that.

"I suppose it's really a shrine. Just the smell, everything about that motorhome. It holds so many memories of when we were all together."

But at about 1pm yesterday, Bianca was "devastated" to find the beloved vehicle had been stolen from Northwood Road in Whitstable, where it is usually parked outside her mother-in-law's home.

"Myself and my girls are absolutely distraught," she said.

"It's just devastating. My kids too are just completely, utterly devastated. We try and hold onto what we can with my husband but it's difficult when things like that are just taken from you."

Bianca's family is desperate to see the campervan returned.

"I don't want to replace it with another one," she said. "It's what we've got left of my husband, and the memories we made when he was still well enough to enjoy life, and we just want it back."

Bianca has reported the theft to the police, while an emotive appeal she posted on Facebook has been shared thousands of times by people across the country in just 24 hours.

The campervan is a white Fiat Dethleffs, with the registration LK14SVW.

One side of the distinctive vehicle is covered in stickers from cities and countries the family visited on their travel through Europe, while inside it is "literally a home on wheels" and features bunk beds.

Police say it is believed to have been stolen between midnight on Thursday, and 12.50pm yesterday.

Anyone with information regarding the stolen vehicle should contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/86908/21.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111, or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

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