Help Steve re-establish after house fire
Donation protected
On Monday 7th October, Steve Walker watched in horror as his house burned down before his eyes. Just minutes earlier he’d been working on his lawnmower in the garage, when it sparked, igniting a fire that rapidly engulfed his home. Despite attempts to put the fire out immediately, using two fire extinguishers, the flames got into the roof and spread rapidly from there. Steve realised he had to warn the neighbours and get out of there to save his own life, and theirs.
He alerted his neighbour by waving and yelling ‘fire’ at her through her kitchen window, she quickly picked up her toddler and got out of the house. Luckily the CFA were able to protect the houses either side of Steve’s from fire.
Steve was treated at the scene by the ambos for shock, after which his daughter transported him to Shepparton to spend the night at her house; with nothing but the clothes on his back.
Steve was extremely proud of his home and the renovations he’d undertaken in the past 10 years, completing his most recent work just last week with a resurfacing of his kitchen benchtops. He’s lost all of his papers, much loved family photos of his children and parents and footy memorabilia (he’s one of the Blues biggest supporters).
Sadly, Steve’s year has been an absolute shocker, having been off work due to illness for the majority of the year. He had been home in Moama just 6 weeks following a 7 week stay in Melbourne, to undergo treatment for a rare and life threatening form of cancer. He is still recovering from the intensive 7 week treatment, requiring his food to be in liquid or pureed form and managing pain and fatigue - he has depended upon his kitchen and blender and comfort of his own home to keep him going.
Steve’s attitude has been one of determination, he’s shown incredible resilience to keep going and beat cancer. Whilst he’s survived treatment incredibly well, he faces a continued wait to find out how successful his treatment was, with several more weeks wait until he’s able to find out the results.
Steve’s story is one of determination and survival, born and raised in Echuca, he’s a true local- with a love of water skiing on the Murray, camping, motorbikes and AFL. In his 20s he acquired a brain injury as a result of a random assault; the injury was so severe that he lost his speech and Doctors told him he’d never walk again. Steve defied their expectations, learning to talk again and walk (and water ski and ride motorobikes etc).
Steve’s a survivor, despite the year he’s had, even after losing everything this week, he manages to put on a smile and express his deep gratitude for the care and thoughtfulness of his community and the people far beyond who are contributing to our fundraising goal to help him get back on his feet.
He alerted his neighbour by waving and yelling ‘fire’ at her through her kitchen window, she quickly picked up her toddler and got out of the house. Luckily the CFA were able to protect the houses either side of Steve’s from fire.
Steve was treated at the scene by the ambos for shock, after which his daughter transported him to Shepparton to spend the night at her house; with nothing but the clothes on his back.
Steve was extremely proud of his home and the renovations he’d undertaken in the past 10 years, completing his most recent work just last week with a resurfacing of his kitchen benchtops. He’s lost all of his papers, much loved family photos of his children and parents and footy memorabilia (he’s one of the Blues biggest supporters).
Sadly, Steve’s year has been an absolute shocker, having been off work due to illness for the majority of the year. He had been home in Moama just 6 weeks following a 7 week stay in Melbourne, to undergo treatment for a rare and life threatening form of cancer. He is still recovering from the intensive 7 week treatment, requiring his food to be in liquid or pureed form and managing pain and fatigue - he has depended upon his kitchen and blender and comfort of his own home to keep him going.
Steve’s attitude has been one of determination, he’s shown incredible resilience to keep going and beat cancer. Whilst he’s survived treatment incredibly well, he faces a continued wait to find out how successful his treatment was, with several more weeks wait until he’s able to find out the results.
Steve’s story is one of determination and survival, born and raised in Echuca, he’s a true local- with a love of water skiing on the Murray, camping, motorbikes and AFL. In his 20s he acquired a brain injury as a result of a random assault; the injury was so severe that he lost his speech and Doctors told him he’d never walk again. Steve defied their expectations, learning to talk again and walk (and water ski and ride motorobikes etc).
Steve’s a survivor, despite the year he’s had, even after losing everything this week, he manages to put on a smile and express his deep gratitude for the care and thoughtfulness of his community and the people far beyond who are contributing to our fundraising goal to help him get back on his feet.
Organizer
Rachel Kate Few
Organizer
Chevallum QLD
