THE MUM of Olympic gold medallist rower Zac Purchase has

been left devastated after thieves stole the camcorder on which

she had recorded her son's triumph in Beijing.

Sara Hoyler had recorded a diary of events in China,

including the golden moment Tewkesbury-based Zac crossed the

winning line.

Sadly, just days after returning to her Plymouth home,

burglars ransacked the house, taking several items - including

the camera containing the precious footage.

Sara, 49, said: "Some time in the early hours of the morning

thieves broke into our home and stole lots of our possessions

while we slept.

"Credit cards and money were taken, but none of that

compares to the video camera which was stolen.

"The camcorder contained the footage I took of my son

winning an Olympic Gold Medal."

She added: "That footage has so much sentimental value to

me. It isn't just a video of the win, it was what I saw through

my eyes as they came away with gold.

"I want that back. I am appealing to those who took it to

give it back - please."