Chiro assistant loses everything in Aussie fires!
Donation protected
On NYE 2020 bushfires ripped through the South Coast of NSW with speed and ferocity that of which has never been seen. Over 500 families in my council zone of Eurobodalla have lost their homes, >50 businesses have been lost, my home town is burning and bleeding. We have lacked power and communications, and at times, even food and fuel. When the dust settled and I was able to contact my staff I received a dreaded text:
"Tom, I have lost my home".
Meet Joanna Love, she is a smart, driven, generous and kind soul who happened to walk through my door 12 months ago looking for a Chiropractic assistant position, after moving from Queensland. Already an experienced Chiropractic assistant, I hired her immediately. After Joanna's first week it was evident that she was the best thing to happen to my clinic in years. She is an amazing advocate for the Chiropractic profession, and continually promotes the value of Chiropractic care to anyone who will listen.
Left: Joanna and her two Staffy's. Right: what's left of Joanna's home and belongings.
Joanna volunteers for WIRES (Wildlife rescue) and the local Animal Welfare League. She has been caring for and raising money for injured wildlife all through this crisis, even after losing everything. When Joanna is not at work, she is collecting spoilt vegetables and fruit to create food drops for our starved and thirsty local wildlife.
Above: Baldwin the Kangaroo with burnt feet- Joanna's supply and fund-raising efforts helped save.
After moving down to the south coast of NSW, she wanted a simpler life. She moved onto some land that her family owned, and put her life savings into building herself and her two dogs a small home with a solar system. Unfortunately the local government would not give her a building entitlement so she could not find a company that would insure her little home.
On the 31st of December, she was evacuated quickly in the early ours of the morning, choking on smoke, and fled to a beach just west of her home (see video below). She (and her beloved pups) lost everything but the clothes on her back.
Above: This footage was taken by Joanna at 11:45am, she did not know at this time if her home had survived.
The community is rallying around all that have lost their homes and businesses. Joanna has a few more weeks left in emergency accomodation. Grants from government and various charities are small and very slow in coming through.
Though she is not comfortable asking for it, what Joanna really needs is money to help her get started in rebuilding her little home. This requires hiring a contractor to conduct massive clearing of debris to safeguard her from further fires, replacement of fencing, and materials to build a new home. Estimates so far total 30,000 AUD.
My local community (myself and my wife included) are totally tapped out and cannot afford to make anymore donations. I am treating firefighters and people whom have lost their homes or income without charge. I am hoping by appealing to my colleagues locally and the wider international Chiropractic community that I can help raise some funds to help Joanna get her life back on track.
If you value our CA's contribution to our profession, clinic's and lives, please, please donate and help this humble and caring woman begin to rebuild her life. TIA.
Sincerely,
Tom Riley
Chiropractor
South Coast Spine Care, Batemans Bay NSW, Australia
Grey area depicts area that has been burned so far, there are still active fires.
Before and After
"Tom, I have lost my home".
Meet Joanna Love, she is a smart, driven, generous and kind soul who happened to walk through my door 12 months ago looking for a Chiropractic assistant position, after moving from Queensland. Already an experienced Chiropractic assistant, I hired her immediately. After Joanna's first week it was evident that she was the best thing to happen to my clinic in years. She is an amazing advocate for the Chiropractic profession, and continually promotes the value of Chiropractic care to anyone who will listen.
Left: Joanna and her two Staffy's. Right: what's left of Joanna's home and belongings.
Joanna volunteers for WIRES (Wildlife rescue) and the local Animal Welfare League. She has been caring for and raising money for injured wildlife all through this crisis, even after losing everything. When Joanna is not at work, she is collecting spoilt vegetables and fruit to create food drops for our starved and thirsty local wildlife.
Above: Baldwin the Kangaroo with burnt feet- Joanna's supply and fund-raising efforts helped save. After moving down to the south coast of NSW, she wanted a simpler life. She moved onto some land that her family owned, and put her life savings into building herself and her two dogs a small home with a solar system. Unfortunately the local government would not give her a building entitlement so she could not find a company that would insure her little home.
On the 31st of December, she was evacuated quickly in the early ours of the morning, choking on smoke, and fled to a beach just west of her home (see video below). She (and her beloved pups) lost everything but the clothes on her back.
Above: This footage was taken by Joanna at 11:45am, she did not know at this time if her home had survived.
The community is rallying around all that have lost their homes and businesses. Joanna has a few more weeks left in emergency accomodation. Grants from government and various charities are small and very slow in coming through.
Though she is not comfortable asking for it, what Joanna really needs is money to help her get started in rebuilding her little home. This requires hiring a contractor to conduct massive clearing of debris to safeguard her from further fires, replacement of fencing, and materials to build a new home. Estimates so far total 30,000 AUD.
My local community (myself and my wife included) are totally tapped out and cannot afford to make anymore donations. I am treating firefighters and people whom have lost their homes or income without charge. I am hoping by appealing to my colleagues locally and the wider international Chiropractic community that I can help raise some funds to help Joanna get her life back on track.
If you value our CA's contribution to our profession, clinic's and lives, please, please donate and help this humble and caring woman begin to rebuild her life. TIA.
Sincerely,
Tom Riley
Chiropractor
South Coast Spine Care, Batemans Bay NSW, Australia
Grey area depicts area that has been burned so far, there are still active fires. Before and AfterFundraising team: Fundraiser Team (2)
Tom Riley
Organizer
Raised $360 from 3 donations
Lilli Pilli NSW
Joanna Love
Beneficiary
Lani Riley
Team member
This team raised $2,657 from 22 other donations.
