Ian Robertson was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in a late stage. He needs your help to remain in his home in the country

$7,050 donated

Given by 69 generous donors in 14 days

Ian Robertson was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in a late stage. He needs your help to remain in his home in the country side.

Canterbury

Ian Robertson was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in June 2015 and not given long to live. He is a fighter though, and with his incredible positive attitude and will power he is still with us taking every day as it comes.

Ian is a wonderful artist and has been a landscape painter for over 40 years. He is not only a painter but an artist in different ways. One of those people that sees things that not everyone does.

Ian writes poetry and takes beautiful photographs. He is a mechanic, a fisherman and can fix pretty much everything. For many years he was also doing tow jobs out in Birdlings Flat where he lives to help people out of the gravel on the local beach.

Ian is a generous person and has hosted many travellers via ‘Couch Surfing’ and ‘HelpX’

Ian has been deteriorating and by now is too weak to do any of the things that helped with his income.

Life is expensive and money is getting very tight to deal with costs for food, prescriptions, petrol to get around and for pharmacy pickups.

Radio program about Birdlings Flat with Ian Robertson:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201766554

Ian on 7sharp:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/the-inspirational-kiwi-artist-with-only-months-to-live-q08770

Julia Schluesener's involvement (page creator)

I'm Ian's dear friend and now also his full time carer.

I met Ian 3 years ago when he generously hosted me and my friend on our travels.

When I came back to New Zealand for a visit from Australia in June, he was just diagnosed and I felt the urge to help this wonderful man.

I change my original plan to spent a year in Australia on a working holiday and came over to New Zealand instead and moved in with Ian for support.

It's more important than anything to Ian to remain in his home in Birdlings Flat in the country side (about 46km out of Christchurch) with his 12 year old son nearby. Unfortunately this has become very difficult financially.

As I'm only a tourist I'm not entitled to any support for Ian's care or to find work. I didn't leave home with very much money as I had planned on working in Australia.

Therefore I've been juggling the little bit of savings I've got to support myself while I'm out here as well as Ian to times when there is no money left at all.

Any dollar would make a big difference to our situation, we are not asking for much, we just need enough to take the stress out of day to day living for Ian, and to help me, to care for him full time.