If you're reading this GoFundMe story, you may know Laura Haynes (owner of the store Life's Little Pleasures) or maybe you don't.

So let me tell you a few things to bring you up to speed.

On Christmas Eve 2019, in the fires that tore through Cobargo NSW (Australia), Laura's business and all in it burnt to the ground. 

THE BACKSTORY

But before I continue on, a little backstory. Laura and I studied together a few years ago, one of those kinds of courses where you cut through the surface layers pretty quickly and get to REALLY know someone. 

A mama of 3 gorgeous kiddos, with her 19 year old daughter Hannah having autism, it's safe to say she's gone to battle over and over since she came into the world to give Han and her siblings, Amara and Jamie all she can as a mother. Above and beyond that, her knowledge in supporting families GLOBALLY with autism and many other health/wellness areas is quite remarkable and there are more than a few families that I know are grateful for her.  Those with a child dealing with the challenges that Hannah has during her lifetime also know the financial burden this is for the families. 

In 2017 Laura decided to make the sea and lifestyle change and move to Cobargo, if you know her you'll know this place felt like home. By the sea, with land, small supportive community. Things were coming together, and then in 2018 life kicked her butt again, this time in the form of Breast Cancer, which she spent successfully treating. 

Which brings up to 2019, with life settling finally again, in April she took on the business Life's Little Pleasures. Giving so much of herself for so many years had taken it's toll, followed by the breast cancer experience, this business felt like a dream that she should pursue.

The goal being to create a good range of beautiful, well made, ethical clothing for all shapes & sizes and to ONLY sell Fairtrade (see that's the thing about Laura, through her business she was making choices to help support others around the world). And she was well on her way to achieving this. 

The cover photo was the business just a few weeks before Christmas. It is now a pile of ash; the beautiful old building and all that is in it. Gone in a few hours. 

WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING?

Because Life's Little Pleasures was not insured.

Not because Laura was negligent and didn't try, she did. Over and over.

She was turned down by all insurers when she listed the contents and not provided any additional reasons. Sadly, it wasn't just her in this situation as many other people in the area will have been either underinsured, or not insured at all. 

At the time of the fire she had a broker looking further into options for her, sadly they weren't able to do so before this tragedy happened. 

She estimates she's lost around $70k in stock. 

Laura will be the first to say she's also fortunate.

Her amazing neighbours (and others she's not even sure of yet) fought to keep her home safe and while there is fire damage outside on the property, her home was saved. 

Her business through is her livelihood. Everything she had went into making this business work and to provide for her. While she doesn't know yet what the future will look like, even in her shock she has said she's going to start again. 

WHAT DOES STARTING AGAIN LOOK LIKE?

Right now, it's about getting funds together for Laura to have money available day to day while she starts the process of re-buying stock to sell at markets as a starting point. The aim is to have a building to call home for Life's Little Pleasures again somehow, one day in Cobargo.

It's a small town and tight knit community that will come together to rebuild.  The community LOVE and NEED their shops and were delighted that this shop not only stayed open during a very rough time (before the fire),  but was goring and changing with a community minded purpose. 

THE OTHER STUFF TO KNOW

Laura honestly didn't want to set up this GoFundMe, she feels so many others need $$ more right now. However after a little (not so subtle) reminder from me, she's agreed to have this set up.

We know she has a global community who want to help her personally, we also know that she will do whatever she can to pay it forward. A time like this is the ultimate lesson in receiving and Laura's humbled at the level of support and offers to help sent to her. 

Our aim is to keep you updated on Laura and her family but also on Cobargo and the fires. 

We know not everyone can donate, however if you can hit share on your Facebook or forward this GoFundMe link on to others/groups you know who want to help, that is just as important. 

Again, a BIG HEARTFELT thank you from Laura for those who saved her home, those who tried to save the businesses lost and those who have offered her support and messages. While still in shock, each of these are helping her keep moving forward. Again.