A family faced heartbreak as their cherished home in the mountains of Greece was destroyed by wildfires just days before they were set to move there permanently from the UK. Rory Clifford and Stephanie Harper, aged 36 and 35, had invested all their savings and income into constructing their dream home in the mountainous area of Peloponnese, in southern Greece. They had relocated all their sentimental possessions last year in anticipation of their upcoming move.
The couple had made plans for their twin daughters, eight-year-old Evangeline and Ivaria, to begin school in September in Greece, where they also have a 19-month-old daughter named Athena. Tragically, the rapid wildfires in Greece recently ravaged parts of the region, resulting in the complete destruction of their home and belongings.
Stephanie, who is pregnant with twins, shared her emotional turmoil in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, expressing the profound impact the devastating event had on their lives. She described the overwhelming emptiness and grief they felt, having worked tirelessly, alongside the Greek community’s support, to establish their home, only for it to be lost in an instant.
The loss of their property, purchased in 2023, forced them to reside in a one-bedroom flat in East Sussex, a stark contrast to the life they had envisioned in Greece. They had invested over €300,000 (approximately £257,000) in making their home ideal for raising a family in the sun, including preparations for their three rescue dogs.
Stephanie explained that their finances stemmed from their joint designer furniture business, personal savings, and loans, with the sale of their possessions facilitating their relocation plans, which had been in the works for over a decade. Despite facing numerous challenges and unexpected costs during the process, such as the substantial expense of replacing piping to supply water to the house, they persevered but now find themselves starting anew.
In response to the wildfire’s devastation, Stephanie’s sister initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist the devastated family in rebuilding their lives. Stephanie expressed gratitude for the support received thus far, emphasizing the daunting financial hurdles ahead, estimating they would require around €100,000 (£85,000) to recover from the tragedy, even with insurance coverage.
Looking ahead, Stephanie and Rory, despite the setbacks, remain resolute in their determination to overcome the adversity and rebuild their future. Their children, who were prepared for the transition and the next phase of their lives, have coped remarkably well. The family remains committed to ensuring their children’s happiness and future, refusing to give up on their dream of the House on the Mountain.
