A Bolton mum grieving for her baby has been left devastated after heartless thieves stole her children's Christmas presents and ransacked her home.
Zoe Hickman had been hoping to make this year's celebration 'extra special' for sons Charlie and Bobby after a difficult 12 months for the family.
Last Christmas, celebrating was the last thing Zoe, 23, wanted to do after she gave birth to a stillborn baby girl, Matilda, just weeks earlier.
This year, she had started her festive shopping early and had already bought several gifts for Charlie, four, and Bobby, seven.
They included children's toys, Playstation 4 games and new clothes from Next.
But her efforts have all been in vain as she returned home last week to find the presents had been swiped.
Ms Hickman said: "It's devastating. I saved to get the boys everything they wanted and it's all gone just like that.
"We didn't have a good Christmas last year, so I wanted to make this year extra special for them."
Ms Hickman had taken her sons out for tea after picking them up from school, but returned later that evening to find a window at the back of her home had been smashed in.
After looking throughout the property, she noticed the bag of presents was missing, as well as several other possessions.
Thieves also made off with a Playstation 4 and iPad belonging to her family, along with jewellery and even food from the family's fridge.
And to make matters worse, the burglars even went through a sentimental memory box she had made for Matilda.
Ms Hickman said: "I don't know how someone could do this, especially knowing there are kids who live here.
"I got a loan of £500 to go towards some bits for Christmas, which I always do.
"I don't know what I'm going to do now. I'm not working at the moment, so I can't afford to replace any of the presents."
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A fundraising page set up by Ms Hickman's sister, Holly, has so far raised £100 to help replace the stolen gifts.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/burgled-so-close-to-christmas.
Greater Manchester Police have been approached for further information.
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