Help get the Beekmans' family get back on their feet

$40,894 donated

Given by 217 generous donors in around 3 months

Help get the Beekmans' family get back on their feet after they lost everything due to the impact of Cyclone Gabriella in Hawkes Bay

Eskdale, Hawke's Bay

The Beekmans family have lost everything after Cyclone Gabriella caused havoc and massive destruction. Their home and belongings are washed away. Their orchard and business is gone. Their 3 dogs and 4 cats missing. Only a few clothes are left and memories.

Their friend, Gareth, was housesitting the Beekmans' property with his partner.

We are raising funds for Maik & Marianne Beekmans and their children Jacobien and Frederieke. These funds will be used to buy clothes and essentials, provide transport, and pay for accommodation or anything else that is required to get them back on their feet. They do have house insurance but unfortunately NO content insurance.

Here is their story that appeared in both The Herald and Stuff after being interviewed by RNZ on the 15th of February, 2023 (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300808383/cyclone-gabrielle-she-disappeared-underwater-under-the-house).

Erwin Versleijen's involvement (page creator)

We met the Beekmans' family over a decade ago when they were living in Auckland. Despite the distance between Auckland and Napier, where they moved to about nine years ago, the friendship remained strong.

Use of funds

These funds will be used to buy clothes and essentials, provide transport, and pay for accommodation or anything else that is required to get them back on their feet.

Latest update

A quick word of gratitude 2 March 2023

Posted by: Maik Beekmans

Words can't describe how humbling it is to see that we have the support and backing by hundreds of fantastic people.

When I was on our land and found nothing but sheer apocalyptic destruction I felt nothing but hollow and alone. The thought of how on earth we are going to bounce back from this is ever-present, but than we step back and count our lucky stars that we still have each other, and equally important we have a fantastic group of people rallying around us - from close friends to perfect strangers.

Marianne, the kids and I get great strength and resolve from knowing that we're not alone in this, particularly in times when it will feel that way.

So thank you ever so much for being there for us.

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