My daughter Rebekah [Bex] and her family lost most of their buildings in the Longwood fires at Ruffy, Victoria, on her birthday January 7th.

It was horrific to watch on VicFires as the fire engulfed Ruffy ... knowing that Tom's parents had stayed to fire fight and try to save the houses. They were out of touch for 3 hours whilst the fire was raging in Ruffy and we were really fearful they were lost.

The extended family live together on the same land, which is a beautiful property ... a converted old church on Nolan's Road ~ 'the big house' ~ much of it built by Tom's father John, with Tom's help. This burnt to the ground.

Rebekah [Bex] and Tom built a tiny house close by and were in the process of building their full home on the next plot on Nolan's Road.

They have two small children ... my grandson Ezzie who is 4yo and my granddaughter Lorelei who will be 1 in February.

Right now Bex, Tom and the children are unable to return and Tom’s parents are living in the tiny house whilst they make the land safe for the children to return to.

Tom's parents, in their late 70s / early 80s lost everything; their house, sheds, possessions, chook shed, etc.

All that remains of 'The Big House' is a single stone wall. they’ll be able to rebuild this from insurance but the sheds that held Bex & Tom’s possessions burnt too.

Ruffy is a tiny community of about 164 people and many stayed to fire fight. They showed such commitment and courage and I'm hoping there were no casualties. We are yet to know.

Right now, feeling helpless in the UK ... knowing they have lost everything ... I want to ask for your help to set the family back on their feet. The big house was insured but Bex and Tom couldn’t insure their self-build tiny house . We are sending money as a family ... but the expense of rebuilding their lives is immense and any amount you can contribute will be so welcome. I'd love that they know a whole community of people are thinking of them and offering support.

Right now, we are watching the fires and holding prayers for Tom's work place in Yarck, and the towns of Yea and Alexandra, which are in the fire's path tomorrow ... during a 'catastrophic' fire warning day. Many in Victoria are affected ... and maybe there will be more GoFundMe campaigns set up ... we hope the Australian government will also help ... but for now ... our concern it to support Bex and family so they can buy clothes, rent somewhere to live, and start rebuilding their lives.

<3

Thank you so much for contributing anything you can spare.

Please also leave a message of love for them.

They need all the help and loving words they can get.

Wren

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