The possible Bay of Plenty sighting of a stolen caravan has resulted in a public plea for assistance from the owner, who is a paramedic with Hato Hone St John.

Vicky Houry’s cherished caravan “Pixie”, registration C688J, was taken from a locked farm building in Kerikeri. Vicky says it has been spotted on State Highway 29 near Tauranga on Tuesday, and earlier in Waihī.

“Pixie was bought with money from my late father, and she means the world to me and my children,” says Vicky, a single parent who has been working tirelessly as a fulltime paramedic with St John for 12 years.

“I’ve worked so hard for this moment, and I am gutted by the loss.”

The community’s support has been invaluable so far, with Vicky profoundly grateful for all efforts to recover Pixie.

“It was stolen either Tuesday or Wednesday last week [August 20 or 21]. We know this because it’s been locked in an outbuilding on my mother’s farm in Kerikeri which my brother drives past on the way to his place.

“Pixie has been locked in there for seven years. My brother noticed tyre tracks in the grass in front of the farm building which are never there.

"They broke in, removed the towbar and wheel locks, and smashed their way out, with the garage door forcibly smashed open.”

The interior of Pixie. Photo: Supplied.

Police have issued a reference number, 240822/7871 and are asking the public for any information regarding the possible sighting of the stolen vehicle.

Vicky has found that people she doesn’t even know have been spreading the word across social media to look out for Pixie.

“The one thing keeping me going is the outpouring of help I am getting. It’s honestly keeping me held together - the amount of care and devotion to finding Pixie. I’ve never come across it.

“I’m usually the one who cares for people in my job. I’m not used to it.”

Vicky has been an emergency medical technician, raising her two children, and is now in the middle of her internship as a paramedic in Auckland.

“We were in Northland, in Kerikeri, then Waiheke and now working in New Lynn,” says Vicky.

On finishing her internship, she plans to reduce her hours and have a holiday in Pixie.

“At age 55, this is a young person’s game,” says Vicky. “It’s difficult for me to handle shift work and I can’t bounce back from a 12-hour night shift very easily.”

The interior of Pixie. Photo: Supplied.

She says she’s due for a holiday, which she had put off in order to afford to pay her bills and complete a degree at AUT in Health Science while raising two teenagers.

“When I get my paramedic level, I go up in the pay scale, and that will get me to the point where I can afford to take a holiday.”

As a single income earner, she says it’s “not been easy in this climate to have the luxury of petrol for the South Island” but had been looking forward to taking time off to take Pixie away, down to Dunedin to see her daughter.

“I am so gutted. I bought Pixie when my dad died nine years ago, with the money he left me.

“Since then, I have worked hard for my family and kids with no time off and I am finally finishing my studies as a full-time paramedic with St John, where I have worked full time for 12 years. I have waited nine years to enjoy my beautiful Pixie.”

On Monday, Vicky received a 10-year service medal from Hato Hone St John, although she’s since completed a further two years of service since qualifying to receive the award.

“The only medal still awarded that has who I was named after on it - Queen Victoria,” says Vicky.

Vicky's ten-year Hato Hone St John service award. Photo: Supplied.

Although appreciative of the award, she is finding it difficult to celebrate while dealing with the recent theft of Pixie.

“I don’t feel much like celebrating, but my mum will love it though.”

The caravan was scheduled for leak-proofing in September, and Vicky is concerned about its condition in the meantime.

“I spent so long in doing her up and keeping her safe and waterproof. She will not survive outside and was due for waterproofing next month.”

She has a request for the thieves.

“I just want them to give it back. I’m prepared to buy it back if they want money. To those people who have stolen Pixie - arrange for Pixie to be dropped safely somewhere and retrieved and I will pay you money, no questions asked.”

She’s been engulfed with warmth and support from people she doesn’t know across Facebook, helping her track down the caravan.

“The outpouring of love, assistance and care has been overwhelming in helping me find Pixie. It keeps me going and I’m so grateful,” says Vicky.

“Please help me recover her. I have seen Facebook work miracles.”

The interior of Pixie. Photo: Supplied.

Vicky says she’s been told Pixie was spotted at Barkes Corner on SH29 on Tuesday morning, August 27, and she is now asking for the Bay of Plenty community to also keep an eye out for it and help bring her beloved caravan home.

Police say they are investigating a report of theft that occurred at a property on Kerikeri Inlet Rd, Kerikeri.

“A caravan was stolen from the property sometime between August 20 and 21,” says a police spokesperson.

“We are making inquiries after a report the vehicle had been sighted south of Auckland but have yet to verify that.

“The public can assist us by reporting any sightings of the caravan [rego C688J] to 105, referencing the case number 240822/7871.”

Vicky says there have been a lot of sightings in Waihī, as well as near Tauranga.

“I have no words to thank you so much for all your efforts,” says Vicky to both the police and the public. “Please keep looking.”

Seen this caravan with registration C688J? Report it to 105, referencing Police case number 240822/7871.