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Rita & Geoff's home in flames

  • Our heartfelt thanks

      13 April 2019

    Kia Ora Everybody,

    Rita and Geoff here. Givealittle does not allow us to send you all an update directly but this way works too:-)

    We would like to thank you all very much for your help in these hard times! We have been humbled by the support given to us after the fire and despite it being a very traumatic experience we have also received much warmth and support these past 4 weeks. Some of you we know personally very well and but others we don't but to all of you we say again THANK YOU!

    If you would like to follow our journey from here on you can do so on my facebook page "The Intrepid Weaver" - which will eventually also link back to my blog (it used to be a travel blog but might use it for more regular updates now).

    We have moved into a new place a week ago and slowly settling into a new routine but just yesterday was one of those days when the gravity of it all hit home again when we realized how many treasured photos alone we've lost - of which we had the only copies in our family... its hard at times and will be like this for weeks and months or even years but with your help we can at least start the road to recovery.

    Kia Ora! Danke! Thank you again!

    Rita & Geoff

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  • Update from Matauwhi Bay

      21 March 2019

    Rita is unable to do updates for herself as she can't access her account on Givealittle. A photo ID is required, which requires a passport (burnt), Drivers License (burnt) or 2 other non-photographic ID (burnt). So while she busies herself in sorting out these practical items - an urgent application for a new emergency passport goes in today - here is a quick update.

    Hans and Jill, who own the property where Rita and Geoff live arrived very early on Tuesday morning having driven up from Rangiora. Understandably they too are shocked to see their former home burnt to the ground. But are equally relieved that Rita escaped with her life and survived the fire.

    Insurance assessors have been for both Rita and Geoff (contents, but woefully uninsured plus the uninsurable family treasures) as well as Hans and Jill for the property. Claims for Hans and Jill have been approved and today Heather Lindauer came to bless the home they all once lived in and as I write, the bulldozer is demolishing the structure and removing the rubble. Thank you Heather.

    We move forward.

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