Devon - a victim of fraud

Hi, my name is Laura and I am Verity's mum. Verity has recently got engaged to a lovely chap called Devon. He is the light of her (and our) life.

You may have seen the recent post on the Company site for Avon Valley Railway, based in Willsbridge, Bristol.

In September 2024, Devon became the victim of a fraud through an employee at his workplace. Devon works at Avon Valley Railway and had been there about a year at the time. Upon joining he was befriend by an employee, Matthew Smith (real name Nathan Hudson), who held a position of authority at Avon Valley Railway. They became friends outside of work too. Unfortunately it was all on false pretentions. It was to befriend him to acquire money by fraud and deception - advising he could get cheap holidays for one, plus other things. Devon was young, impressionable and inexperienced in life. It has left him heartbroken, upset that a so called friend can do this and has left him not able to fully trust people. The incredibly sad part of this story is that 12 months previous to this deception Devon had lost his dad unexpectedly and it was inheritance money as well as other money he had saved up to buy a car and his future.

Devon is such a likeable, loveable, kind, willing and decent honourable chap and we are absolutely mortified that anyone can take advantage of anyone like this, let alone someone so nice. He really does deserve the world after the terrible few years he has experienced.

Please help me in helping Devon to know there are decent people out there who will help him and see that he is well liked, respected and that the world is not such a terrible place as he has been shown these last few years.

Heartfelt thanks for any donations you feel able to give. He will be immensely grateful, this I know.

Laura