Last weekend, a thief broke into Murray and Tania Dawe's home in Grong Grong, took the car keys and stole the V8 Falcon ute and then set it on fire.

The vehicle, which meant a lot to Mr Dawe, who had poured time and money into it, was utterly destroyed.

"I am just devastated," he said.

"To make matters worse, two of the tyres for my partner's car were in the boot and were also destroyed.

"Now we have to deal with the theft and all the issues that arise from that."

Mr Dawe served in the army and took helping the community around him seriously, but the incident has shaken him.

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He said he has realised that everything needs to be locked and bolted even in a country town.

"It's just catastrophic, and it has made things even harder for us," Mr Dawe said.

"It has insurance, but it won't cover what it is worth."

Andrew Embury, who had known Mr Dawe for more than four decades after meeting him when he was a medic in the army, was shocked when he found out about the theft.

When he saw the social media post about what happened, Mr Embury decided to try and rally some help.

"That car was Murray's pride and joy, and he knows he has no hope of getting anything like that again," he said.

"He is always helping other people in the community, and what has happened is just not fair.

"I decided to start a GoFundMe, and hopefully, this can go away to helping him get a new car."

A NSW Police spokesperson said about 2am on Sunday, a white Ford Falcon ute was stolen from a home on Junee Street, Grong Grong.

It was found burnt out on Old Narrandera Road, Matong, near Ganmain later that morning, and reported to officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to come forward and call Leeton Police on 6953 1399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For more information about the GoFundMe campaign, click here.

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