A TAUNTON woman has come to the aid of a couple who had their wedding fund of more than £3,000 stolen by burglars.

Archery Paralympian Amanda George, a former police officer who was injured in a car crash answering an emergency 18 years ago, has set up a fundraising appeal to support Mel Dawes and Luke Jones.

The couple, fellow archers based in the Burnham-on-Sea area, returned home from shopping to discover Mel's car missing from the drive and money along with jewellery and other items stolen.

"I went into the living room to find coins from our wedding fund tipped out on the sofa, but they'd taken all the notes, more than £3,000," said Mel, 22, a hospital care assistant.

"Upstairs was completely ransacked, with drawers tipped out onto the floor and my jewellery boxes on the bed."

The thieves stole necklaces, bracelets and bangles, as well as a Play Station and games belonging to bricklayer Luke, 28.

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Mel's Vauxhall Corsa, which was uninsured and kept off road to save money, was later discovered embedded in the wall of a garage in Weston-super-Mare.

To add insult to injury they had to pay a £75 release fee and £150 for a vehicle carrier to deliver the vehicle to their home.

"It's been devastating. We've lost well over £5,000 in total," said Mel, who is walking down the aisle with Luke on April 9, 2020.

"We spent two years putting a bit aside every month for our wedding.

"We struggle with money at times and it put us back to square one."

When the couple's friend Amanda heard of their plight, she set up a GoFundMe fundraising appeal, which has so far raised more than £800.

Mel added: "We're very grateful to Amanda and to everyone who has donated.

"There have been donations from family and friends and even some of Amanda's friends we don't even know.

"Others who can't afford to give anything have rung to ask how we are.

"It's restored our faith in people. There are bad people out there, but mostly it's good."

Mel and Luke have now opened a bank account for their wedding savings following the theft on Friday, April 27.

Amanda said: "These two are a young couple just starting out in life.

"We are asking our archery community to help these two young people get back on their feet and their wedding back on track.

"They are absolutely devastated, especially Mel who is finding it really hard. They did not deserve this as they work so incredibly hard to save for everything they have, including their home."

You can donate to the couple by clicking on this link.

*A man has been charged in connection with the case and was remanded in custody at a court hearing.