THE widow of a man who died in a motorbike accident is begging for cards which were stolen from his funeral to be returned.

Jo Girling laid her husband Simon to rest on Friday (July 24) but was dealt a further blow when she learned a mystery woman entered both the church and the wake and took cards containing money from well-wishers.

Her story has made waves on social media with friends and family calling for whoever is responsible to come forward.

Simon Girling died on June 29 when his motorbike came off the A330 in Warfield, leaving Jo and her five children without ‘the most important man in their lives’.

Speaking to the News Mrs Girling said she feels ‘violated’ knowing a stranger took advantage of the situation.

She said: “It’s just been one thing after another. It’s been absolutely dreadful.

“The day was really hectic, I had five kids to get ready and my friends were printing out the order of service in the morning and then this happened.

“Everything I did on the day was for my husband. I feel very violated that somebody did this, they violated mine and my children’s day and came and took stuff that didn’t belong to them.

“People have given to us thinking it would help, how must they feel knowing we didn’t get it? It’s heartbreaking.”

The wake was held at the Prince of Wales pub in Shepherds Lane, with cards and flowers left with the the food provided for mourners.

It is believed a woman, described as middle-aged, with brown hair and wearing a white top, collected cards filled with money left for the family, and may have even targeted Mrs Girling’s disabled brother by pretending to help carry an envelope full of donations.

Mrs Girling said: “When we were waiting to go into the church there was a women standing right behind three of Simon’s best friends who were walking in, when I asked them they said they didn’t know her. Everyone I’ve spoken to has given the same description of this woman.

“Everyone said they’d rather donate the money to me and the kids because we need it more but to be honest I’m not bothered if I don’t see the money but I’m really upset about the cards. I was going to use them to make a memory box for my children.

“If someone is that desperate that they would do this and steal from a funeral then they can keep the money, I just want the cards back.”