Hi everyone,

My name is Sylvie, and I am the second eldest of Jim’s grandchildren. I created this GoFundMe on behalf of my grandpa after he lost his home in the Longwood fires, in hopes to help him get back on his feet, rebuild his life, and remind him that he is not alone during this incredibly difficult time.

Having lost nearly everything he owns, in the devastating Longwood bushfire, Jimbo now only has a dog, a car & a caravan to his name. Without a home to go home to, if you are able, please help him rebuild his life with whatever donation you kindly can make.

Jim Billings has lived in the Avenel community for the past 14 years. In 2022, Jim was named Avenel's Citizen of the Year for his work in initiating and running a weekly community bus service to help the elderly residents of Avenel - get to the shops, make appointments and socialise.

Along with this, Jim is one of the founding members and operators of the local volunteer group Renewable Avenel Energy (RAE), that offers practical solutions for sustainable living. His tireless efforts for the Avenel community has seen a local hall, powered by solar panels, set up to provide refuge to vulnerable local residents during extreme heat.

Jim is no stranger to fire having been a CFA member for 6 years in the Avenel region. Inevitably, it was his fire knowledge that helped him make the informed decision to leave rather than stay.

Prior to this, he was a former educator, working with kids who had no homes, were from broken families and or violent upbringings. He worked hard to provide them with refuge and hope during these very challenging times of uncertainty and fear in their lives. His later teaching years saw him working with Indigenous students which gave him great joy and fulfilment before he retired.

Jim, Jimbo, as he is fondly known, has lead a selfless life in so many ways. He fights for the underdog and for what is fair, he seeks to always look after people in times of need and his heart is always overflowing with love for others, and the world in general. It’s now his time to be on the receiving end of the love and kindness he has always sort to give to others in their time of greatest need.

Please if you can, a donation of any size, big or small will go a long way to helping Jimbo get back on his feet and keep living his amazing life! Even at 80 he still has so much living to do!

Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, truly means the world to our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and compassion.

Kindest,

Jimbos children & grandchildren