On the night of 29 July 2026, our family experienced something no one ever expects.

My mum Kim, a 66 year old retiree, lost her home in a devastating fire at the Homestead Holiday Park in Chinderah, northern New South Wales. The fire completely destroyed her demountable home, leaving nothing behind. While we cannot express how grateful we are that she escaped with her life, absolutely everything she owned (apart from her phone and the clothes on her back) has been lost.

Like many people living in areas affected by the 2022 floods, she was unable to obtain affordable insurance due to the property's flood risk. This heartbreaking reality has now left her with no financial safety net after losing her home and every single one of her belongings.

The fire destroyed far more than Mum's home. It took a lifetime of memories. It destroyed her furniture, clothing, treasured photographs, family keepsakes, and all of the everyday belongings that made her house a home. It took things that can be replaced and things that never can. It took my grandparents' ashes, and even our family Scrabble board that had been passed down through generations and was a staple at every family gathering.

At 66 years old, my mum is now faced with the unimaginable task of starting over from absolute scratch.

As a family, we are doing everything we can to support her. We will be contributing our own time, labour and resources wherever possible, but the cost of replacing even the basic necessities is overwhelming.

We have created this fundraiser to help cover immediate essentials such as temporary accommodation, clothing, toiletries, medications, replacing important personal items, and the costs involved in clearing the site and beginning the long journey towards rebuilding her life.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a genuine difference. If you're unable to donate, sharing this page with your family, friends and community would mean just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity and support during this incredibly difficult time. Our family is deeply grateful for every message, every share and every contribution.

With heartfelt thanks,

Jeremy (Kim's son)