A mother gravely ill with cancer has had precious rings stolen while on a Christmas visit to Dubbo.
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The 38-year-old mum had wished to leave the treasured items to her two young girls.
But Amber’s wedding and engagement rings were snatched from her cabin on Christmas Eve as she spent time with her family, including her three children aged 10, seven and almost three years respectively.
The next day her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital.
On Friday friend and colleague Lisa Miller made a desperate appeal for the return of the property as the devastated mum remained in Orange Hospital.
“Amber sent a message saying her heart was shattered, not because of the monetary value of the rings, but because of the sentimental side,” Mrs Miller said.
“She said she feels like a little piece of her had been taken away that one day her girls would have had as a reminder of their mum.”
Amber, a teacher at Orange’s Nashdale Public School, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and bone cancer in August and started treatment immediately, Mrs Miller said.
The theft of the rings during the big family gathering at Dubbo had been “a kick in the guts”.
The most recent scans showed her friend’s cancer had spread, Mrs Miller said.
Amber’s daughters are aged 10 and seven respectively, while her little boy turns three later this month.
“She’s an amazing mum, she loves her children to bits,” Mrs Miller said.
The Orange woman asked that if anyone came across the rings, could the family “please have them back”.
“I cried [when I found out about the theft],” Mrs Miller said.
“Amber’s been through so much.
“I’ve got children of my own, if I was in that situation, I’d feel the same.”
Police from Orana Local Area Command are investigating the theft and appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
*CORRECTION: the wrong photo was provided to the Daily Liberal by mistake, which ran in an earlier version of this story. This story has now been updated with the correct photo of the stolen rings.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
