A family devastated by the loss of their permanent home in the Greek mountains just before their relocation from the UK has shared their heart-wrenching story. Rory Clifford and Stephanie Harper, aged 36 and 35, invested their savings and earnings in constructing their dream residence in the mountainous Peloponnese region in southern Greece. They had transported all their sentimental possessions last year in anticipation of their imminent move.
The couple had arranged for their twin daughters, Evangeline and Ivaria, aged eight, to attend a local school starting in September, and they also have a 19-month-old daughter named Athena. Unfortunately, recent wildfires ravaging parts of Greece completely razed their home and all its contents.
Stephanie, who is currently pregnant with twins, opened up exclusively to The Mirror about the profound impact of this tragic event on their lives. She expressed the overwhelming sense of emptiness and grief that has engulfed their family, emphasizing the loss of not just a house but also cherished memories and the warm home they had created.
The destruction of their property, purchased in 2023, has forced them to reside in a one-bedroom flat in Hastings, East Sussex, a stark contrast to the envisioned future they had diligently prepared for. They had poured over €300,000 (about £257,000) into making the property an ideal family haven under the sun, where they planned to accommodate their three rescue dogs.
Stephanie disclosed that the funds were accumulated through their joint efforts in a designer furniture business, along with personal savings and loans. They liquidated all their assets to fund the relocation they had been plotting for more than a decade, a process laden with challenges such as substantial unexpected expenses, like over £10,000 spent on replacing 2km of piping on the mountain to secure water supply to the house.
Despite their relentless efforts to overcome each hurdle, they are now faced with the daunting task of starting anew from scratch. In response to the devastating fire, Stephanie’s sister initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support the distraught family in rebuilding their shattered lives. Stephanie expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and stressed the necessity of approximately €100,000 (£85,000) to regain stability, even with insurance coverage.
As they navigate the uncertain future, Stephanie remains determined not to be defeated, though she admits maintaining a positive outlook is challenging. While their children cope with the upheaval, she emphasized their unwavering commitment to ensuring their happiness and future, underscoring the profound significance of the lost “House on the Mountain.”