Help rebuild the lives of parents, Rachel and Ken Thorne

Thank you all so much for your overwhelming support and concern following the fire. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us during this incredibly challenging time. Many of you have expressed a desire to help my mother and step-father with monetary donations, so I’ve set up this page to facilitate contributions. Your support not only provides practical assistance but also brings us comfort and strength. We are truly grateful for your help and compassion.

Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Kind-hearted Strangers,

My beloved mother Rachel (Gaudin) Thorne and step-father Kenneth Thorne, both retired, faced a devastating tragedy. On August 23, 2024, their home in Tweed, Ontario, was consumed by a catastrophic fire. They lost everything - their home, garage, vehicles, all their belongings, their cherished cat Ginger, and countless precious memories.

Here is what happened: In the early hours of that fateful day, they were awaked by a loud bang and discovered that their home was engulfed in flames. My mother, Rachel, was rushed to Quinte Health Belleville General Hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU with second-degree burns to her face, both ears, and severe burns to her hands, as well as smoke inhalation. She was intubated and placed on a ventilator, heavily sedated while the medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize her.

On August 27, Rachel was transferred to the burn unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Sunnybrook Hospital had done everything they could concerning her burns. On September 4, they transferred her back to the ICU at Quinte Health Belleville General Hospital for further treatment. She remains sedated, on a ventilator, and now battling pneumonia and fluid on her lungs. We are deeply grateful for the exceptional care she is receiving from the dedicated doctors and nurses who are doing everything in their power to help her recover and return to us.

Although Ken was not physically injured, he is grappling with the immense stress of their loss and the worry for Rachel’s health, all while managing his own health issues. The burden of this disaster is overwhelming, and Rachel and Ken need all the support they can get as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives and managing Rachel’s recovery, which will include home care once she is discharged.

What they need: The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Working with insurance companies can be very trying and frustrating at times. Ken has already been told that it could take up to 1.5 years for their claim to be finalized. Even then, they will not be close to being able to replace everything they lost. In the meantime, Rachel and Ken need assistance to cover immediate necessities and to begin the long road to recovery.

How You Can Help: No contribution is too small - every dollar makes a meaningful difference. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with others can still have a significant impact. Your generous donations will help cover:

• Immediate Essentials

• Clothing and toiletries

• Food and groceries

• Temporary accommodations

• Other necessities that may arise as they navigate this challenging period.

Your kindness and generosity will provide them with much-needed relief and hope for the future. We are deeply moved by the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this heartbreaking time. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers and we know Rachel and Ken to be stronger than anyone. Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts! ♥️

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sophia and Paul Millar, and Family