Bushfire victims in Wytaliba inundated with support after sharing their story
Two NSW families that lost everything in the devastating bushfires have revealed the generous offers of help they have been inundated with after sharing their stories last week.
Al Bacon, who suffered from serious burns in the inferno at Wytaliba, last week said his family had received just $1,280 in government support since their home was destroyed.
On the other end, Joe Borgia – a volunteer firefighter who battled the blaze – ended up spending his life savings in order to survive since their property was lost amongst the flames.
Speaking to the ABC on Friday, they had said the disaster relief schemes were a “slap in the face” and “completely unrealistic”.
Since then, dozens of strangers have reached out to help, offering money as well as building materials, a whole house of furniture and even a beach holiday.
One man from Melbourne, Benjamin Thomson created a Facebook campaign to raise $15,000 for Mr Bacon’s family so they could build a kit home on their property.
Mr Bacon spent weeks in hospital for burns to his arms, legs and face after the fire took over Wytaliba, taking multiple homes and killing residents George Nole and Vivian Chaplain in the process.
Mr Thompson is a complete stranger to Mr Bacon, but he knew he needed to help.
“I saw how much bureaucracy was slowing down money getting to people who need it,” he said.
“And the best thing about the internet in 2020 is that you can get in touch with a complete stranger and do something good.”
Mr Bacon said the $1,280 in relief assistance he had received from the Federal Government was “disgusting” but the kind-heartedness people were showing him was “a bloody good feeling”.
“There’s some really good people out there,” he said.
“I was a little bit blown away but I kind of thought, ‘hey, this is Australia, someone will give us a hand’.”
Mr Bacon said if they manage to raise $15,000, he’ll distribute it amongst the community.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteer Mr Borgia, a father-of-one, said he had received “a few hundred dollars” since the article was published, but the offer of a free-holiday gave him some much-needed joy.
With the last two months being something out of a nightmare, Mr Borgia said he felt “really excited” when a stranger reached out to gift them a free stay at her holiday home in South West Rocks.
“My daughter has been asking ‘can we go to the beach, can we go to the beach’ so this is amazing,” he said.
“It’s also right near my favourite scuba spot which I had been talking about going to ever since the fires.”
Mr Borgia is still waiting to hear back on his application for disaster relief from the NSW Government.