The devasting floods that have ravaged the far north coast have taken everyone by surprise, and the images of damage, evacuations and rescues have been flooding our tv's and social media screens. It is hard to comprehend the sheer scale of the damage.

My name is Ryan Benson, I am now living in Sydney but I grew up in Lismore and Cawongla, two of the hardest hit areas. I am creating this fund raiser to raise funds for my younger sister and my parents who live in Lismore and Cawongla.

My younger sister Nikki is a teacher living in Lismore, and her house was the first to go under. I watched in tears as she was evacuated from her house and had to leave everything behind not knowing what she would return to. Next it was my parents Scott & Sandy, who live in Cawongla in our family home that my dad built and they have lived their for 35yrs. They were rescued by their neighbours and taken to higher ground, as flood waters broke the bank and started to come into the house. For anyone that has been to my parents’ house and knows how far away the little creek is away from the house, will understand the enormity of how much water it takes to get up 3 embankments and into their house.

Both my parents and sister are facing huge financial loss due to the floods, as are many who live on the north coast. Neither of their houses had insurance for flood damage because the cost of the premiums is just far too expensive to warrant getting it for the little risk, they thought they faced. No one would ever have imagined flooding of this height and severity.

There are many things of sentimental value that cannot be replaced, but we can help them raise money for essential items like fridges, washing machines, vacuums, pressure pumps, lawn mowers, couches, and beds etc.

The clean-up task that they are facing with no power and no water is huge, it just makes me so sad and feel so helpless.

If you are one of my friends and have met my family, you know how selfless they are, they would give you the shirt of their backs to help you and would never ask for help in a situation like this.

So, I am going to ask you for help on their behalf, please could you donate whatever you can afford. I think any small act of kindness from friends and strangers would lift their spirits in this terrible time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!