What a year! Here's to the final push!
12 January 2024
We're so grateful to the generous donors who helped us raise funds to cut down the dangerous trees on our property. Givealittle donations came to $10,122 & a further generous donation brought the total to ~$18,000. Thank you to everyone for your support!
The total cost for all the treework was ~$25,000 - we covered the costs for the neighbour's trees as her home wasn't directly endangered. The arborists employed a technique called "totem poling," leaving the trunks in the ground to decay naturally, drastically reducing costs.
Our insurer has yet to finalise the settlement for our home's rebuild. Regrettably, once the settlement is reached, the funds will go straight to our bank for the rebuild costs, meaning we won't recoup any costs related to treework, landscaping or home repairs that we've funded ourselves, with assistance from family, credit cards, and loans.
In the midst of this, Simon received a job offer to relocate our family to Australia. Despite the stress at home, we saw this as a positive step & made the move in late September. Our hearts, however, will always belong to our beloved home in Laingholm.
Relocating meant refurnishing our home & preparing it for short-term rental to cover our mortgage payments while we reside in Australia. Managing two households on a single income has put a significant financial strain on our small family & we're hoping with the generosity of others we will be able to recoup some out-of-pocket expenses that we've funded this year.