A beloved classic Mini left by a grandmother to her granddaughters before her death has been stolen from their family home in Chelsea.
The cherished Austin Mini had been given to Erin and Brooke Short, aged 14 and 12 respectively, in late 2008, just months before Nuala Fellowes passed away aged 63.
The youngsters, who had affectionately named the car Nana Noo’s Bumpy Mini because of its notorious suspension, are distraught after it was stolen from a private underground car park in Elm Park Gardens on Thursday (September 1).
Their mum Sharon Short, whose late mother had bequeathed the car, said: “I can’t begin to express how saddened, upset and distraught the girls are, as am I and my husband.”
Mrs Fellowes had owned the 1989 car, with the number plate H702 AHW for around 10 years, and would regularly take her granddaughters to the supermarket and car boot sales in it.
She was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and by late 2008, when it became apparent that she would not survive, gave the car to her granddaughters, who were just five and seven at the time.
It was looked after by Mrs Short and her husband Darren and brother, with the hope that the Erin and Brooke would one day be able to drive it.
The car, which has a meagre 39,000 miles on the clock, was only driven once or twice a year, and the Short family would cram into the car every year to take part in the annual London to Brighton Mini run.
In May 2009, just months after Mrs Fellowes died, they raised nearly £1,100 for St Christopher’s Hospice which had cared for her, by taking part in the 50th Mini rally.
Mr Short discovered the vehicle was missing from the car park on September 1 at 9.30am. It had last been seen at 11.30pm the night before (August 31), and other vehicles in the private car park including Porsches, Bentleys and Aston Martins were left alone.
Mrs Short said: “This car is of huge sentimental value. When the girls found out they were so distressed.
“Brooke completely broke down, she was shaking and crying. Erin was very quiet but very upset.
“They’re both upset and angry that they may never see their nanny’s Mini again. The thought of someone else driving it or it being alone is distressing them, it’s distressing all of us.
“The first car they wanted to drive after passing their [driving] tests was their Nanny’s. The had dreams of driving it in the London to Brighton rally."
Anyone with information can call Kensington and Chelsea Police via 101.
