On a day that changed everything, my dad Dave Patmore and his long-time partner Debra, who both rely on electric wheelchairs, lost their home in a devastating fire. The fire, which was ruled accidental and caused by improperly charged lithium-ion batteries, swept through their residence and left significant damage throughout. Four people were transported to the hospital, including Dave, Debra, and their two roommates, all of whom sustained injuries. My brother Justin, despite having a broken leg, bravely pulled my dad and Debra to safety and was treated for minor injuries at the scene. We are deeply grateful for his courage. Robert was also able to retrieve two guitars belonging to my dad, saving a small piece of what was lost.

The trailer held all of Dave’s belongings—furniture, clothing, electronics, household goods, and personal items like medication and wheelchair batteries. Even more heartbreaking, the home contained priceless memorabilia from my grandparents, Jack and Donna Purdin. The trailer originally belonged to them, and all the family heirlooms left by my grandparents were lost in the fire. Sadly, my dad did not have fire insurance for his trailer, making the loss even more overwhelming.

We are reaching out to our community for help. The funds raised will go toward removing the damaged trailer from the Oasis, replacing essential items and medical equipment, and helping Dave and Debra recover from the loss of uninsured assets and irreplaceable family memories. Any donation, sharing of this fundraiser, or words of encouragement will mean the world to our family as we work to rebuild after this tragedy.