The family of two Coleambally residents who were left devastated after their home was destroyed in a fire last week have described the community support as “unbelievable”.
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Steve and Penny Lothian were away when a fire engulfed their house last Friday night.
Their son Robert Lothian said the pair were still “shocked” by the unbelievable amount of support they received in the days since.
“There’s so much support down there for them. People have been amazing. I think we’re all just trying to comprehend all of the people who have come out to help,” he said.
Outpouring of love and support:
The community has come together to donate food, clothes, grocery vouchers and other necessities.
A GoFundMe has been set up in the aftermath of the incident to help the pair get back on their feet.
Mr Lothian, who lives in Dubbo, says his entire family are still trying to comprehend what has happened.
“I think my parents are still trying to come to terms with everything,” he said.
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“They’ve lost a lot of memories, photos, a china set Mum had for a long time. All those irreplaceable things.”
Emergency services were called when a neighbour went out to investigate the cause of a noise and discovered the house was alight.
Coleambally Fire Brigade, Gidgell Brigade, Fire and Rescue 311 as well as police, ambulance and SES services attended the scene and extinguished the blaze, but it was too late to save the house from destruction.
Where do we go from here?
Thankfully, temporary accommodation was organised for the family in the form of a fully-furnished unit.
Mr Lothian said the generosity of the community extended beyond a few friends.
“It’s not just a few people who are taking care of them. People are talking about it and they are getting involved. It’s everyone,” he said.
“A special thank you to Sam Harris for her fantastic support of our parents, Steve and Penny, we really and truly appreciate everything you have done for them.”
Mr Lothian says the support has come from businesses and individuals alike.
“People got together a whole boot-load of clothes for stuff for them,” he said
“The Thai place has given them a unit to live in, friends have put them up in their homes, the people who own the supermarket have given them free meals and vouchers.”
With their house completely destroyed by the fire, Mr Lothian says it’s the absence of every-day items that are often felt the most.
“We can only really say thank-you, from the bottom of our hearts,” he said.
How community members can help out:
The community has come together to support the Lothian family in a number of ways.
Donations may be made through the Facebook group Lothians donations by posting on the group’s wall or via the GoFundMe page.
The online campaign has already raised over $1,175 for the family and messages of support have flooded in.
The weekend saw a flood of well-wishes for the family, both online and in person.
The family moved to Coleambally from the big smoke a few years ago.
Mr Lothian says this kind of response in the city would be almost unheard of.
“My parents moved to Coleambally from Sydney a few years ago and this kind of thing just doesn’t happen there,” he said.
“You couldn’t really compare the responses you’d get. Coly is just that type of town and that type of community.”
He says the philosophy of country towns is simple.
“They help each other.”
