The Port Macquarie and Wauchope communities have thrown their collective arms around mum of four Ash, who lost everything in a house fire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Their Bridge Street Port Macquarie home was completely destroyed by fire on December 31.
The family lost everything in the blaze.
And now two separate efforts are underway to help try to restore some of the things lost in the fire.
Karen Foster, who has instigated a GoFundMe page, on the site said that the four children lost all their possession, except the clothes they were standing in when the fire broke out.
"There is nothing for the children, they lost their Christmas presents, clothes, furniture - everything is gone," the site says.
"Their only possessions are what they were wearing when they escaped the fire.
"Any help would be appreciated to help this family find their feet again."
Clothes including size 14 for mum Ash, and sizes 12, 9, 7, 5 for the four girls are most wanted.
The family says they "only need to start again, and then we will be fine".
A second effort to help the family comes from Port Macquarie Pay It forward.
Site administrator Shirley McGowan has been in contact with relatives of the family.
She says it is wonderful to see people banding together, but there were specific items urgently required.
"The family urgently needs, clothes, food and school uniforms – Westport and Wauchope public schools," she said.
I think it is absolutely fabulous that everyone is coming together as a community to help this family.
- Shirley McGowan
"I think it is absolutely fabulous that everyone is coming together as a community to help this family.
"Our role is to organise collection for the family.
"We have two people collecting in the Port Macquarie and Wauchope areas. They are both relatives of the mum, Ash."
Mrs McGowan said the site was designed to help people.
“This is what we do. I saw the post yesterday (about the fire) and put out a call for people to step up and help out,” she said.
"We have had plenty of people offering their help and support.
"It has been such a massive response. We've already fielded nearly 100 extra members (to the site) just because of this house fire.
"People just want to help."
The site administrator said some people were stepping forward to help in the immediate term while others were holding off while Ash sources another home.
Mrs McGowan said people need to understand that the site is designed to help others.
"This is not for people who want things," she added.
Port Macquarie Pay It Forward started four years ago and now boasts some 6,200 members
Also making news:
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
