Meet Helen & John
Donation protected
Meet Helen & John - both in their 70’s - one of the most in love, loving & caring elderly couples I have ever had the joy of knowing.
I had the pleause of meeting Helen and John when I moved into a new rental property last May. We would sit outside for hours every night whilst they told me stories about their young lives. They moved to Australia in their late 30’s from Hungary and spent years working towards a better life, but everything went down hill when John fell ill a few years ago.
Helen and John had to rush back to their country so John could seek much needed treatment and also so Helen could be with her family during the tough time. What they didn’t know though, was when they returned back to Australia, everything they had worked for would be gone.
The cost of travelling back to Hungary and covering medical bills became the main focus if John were to have a chance at getting better. Unfortunately, whilst overseas, the property they were renting had been re-rented and all of their belongings disposed of.
When they arrived back to Australia, they had nowhere to live and were forced to rent a motel which cost them $150 a night which, considering they are on a pension, didn’t leave them much for anything else. Despite this horrible experience, they kept on and thankfully ended up being my neighbours.
John recently had to go in for open heart surgery which left him with 7 stents, he is also yet to get another operation on his legs due to poor circulation but he is still such a cheerful man who loves a long chat and a good joke.
Poor Helen worries every day about what will happen to her if John passes which is understandable given they have no savings behind them. Her pension is just enough to cover their rent now which is $350 a week and John’s pension is used for everything else. They get no help from Centrelink (besides the pension), social workers or anybody else that should be there to assist. I help as much as can, often surprising them will small gifts but what I can do does not even come close to making a difference.
I have recently moved 40 minutes away but speak with Helen on the phone every day, it breaks my heart to hear her worry so much.
I want to do something to bring a smile to their faces and hopefully help them both worry a little less.
I am raising funds that they can keep in the bank which will ultimately allow them to buy themselves new clothes (which they never do), eat the food they want to eat (which they cannot afford) and just generally enjoy the years that they have left.
If you can dig into your pockets and find some spare change it will all add up and I guanratee you, seeing the look their faces when they get the gift will be well worthwhile.
Thank you!
I had the pleause of meeting Helen and John when I moved into a new rental property last May. We would sit outside for hours every night whilst they told me stories about their young lives. They moved to Australia in their late 30’s from Hungary and spent years working towards a better life, but everything went down hill when John fell ill a few years ago.
Helen and John had to rush back to their country so John could seek much needed treatment and also so Helen could be with her family during the tough time. What they didn’t know though, was when they returned back to Australia, everything they had worked for would be gone.
The cost of travelling back to Hungary and covering medical bills became the main focus if John were to have a chance at getting better. Unfortunately, whilst overseas, the property they were renting had been re-rented and all of their belongings disposed of.
When they arrived back to Australia, they had nowhere to live and were forced to rent a motel which cost them $150 a night which, considering they are on a pension, didn’t leave them much for anything else. Despite this horrible experience, they kept on and thankfully ended up being my neighbours.
John recently had to go in for open heart surgery which left him with 7 stents, he is also yet to get another operation on his legs due to poor circulation but he is still such a cheerful man who loves a long chat and a good joke.
Poor Helen worries every day about what will happen to her if John passes which is understandable given they have no savings behind them. Her pension is just enough to cover their rent now which is $350 a week and John’s pension is used for everything else. They get no help from Centrelink (besides the pension), social workers or anybody else that should be there to assist. I help as much as can, often surprising them will small gifts but what I can do does not even come close to making a difference.
I have recently moved 40 minutes away but speak with Helen on the phone every day, it breaks my heart to hear her worry so much.
I want to do something to bring a smile to their faces and hopefully help them both worry a little less.
I am raising funds that they can keep in the bank which will ultimately allow them to buy themselves new clothes (which they never do), eat the food they want to eat (which they cannot afford) and just generally enjoy the years that they have left.
If you can dig into your pockets and find some spare change it will all add up and I guanratee you, seeing the look their faces when they get the gift will be well worthwhile.
Thank you!
Organizer
Kristie Oldfield
Organizer
Acacia Gardens NSW
