The Wellington community have continued their support for a young family who lost all of their belongings in a September house fire.
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On Saturday, a benefit night was held for Tara Stanley and two children, where approximately $3000 was raised through auctions and raffles.
Tara and her kids had just recently moved into the home on Maxwell Street when it was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of September 9.
On arrival Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) found Tara's house well alight with the fire in one of the rear bedrooms and spreading to the roof.
Their belongings, including the children's school clothes, furniture and Tara's photography work equipment were all destroyed.
Thankfully the young family had stayed that night in Dubbo so weren't home during the time of the blaze.
"We were so lucky not to be in there because we wouldn't of made it out if we were," Tara told the Wellington Times the morning of the fire.
A Go Fund Me page was immediately set up to help Tara and her children, with more than $9000 raised.
Support has continued to flow in, with Saturday's benefit night at the Wellington Soldiers Club, where over 60 people attended.
Organiser Helena Stanley said it was a great turnout with an extra 20 people from upstairs at the club coming down.
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Ms Stanley said on the night Tara got emotional when she thanked everyone for all of their support
"She didn't think there was that many people out there that wanted to put in their support and help," Ms Stanley explained.
"It was beautiful, the support that she had on the night."
Money raised at the benefit night will help Tara and her family rebuild their lives and for the young mother to purchase work equipment.
Auctioneer on the night was Gerard Cox, who Ms Stanley said "did a great job" and the Wellington Soldiers Club also threw their support behind the cause.
Some of the items auctioned off was paintings by Sue Towney, Darren Dunn and Sydney artist Lakkari Pitt.
NRL clubs the South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Dragons, plus Group 11 Forbes Magpies and the Newcastle All Blacks all made donations.
The Boomerang Barber made a donation, as did the Wellington Aboriginal Corporate Health Service (WACHS).
Ms Stanley said it was so great to see other communities supporting the cause. She thanked the Wellington Lands Council for their support.
She also gave a special mention to those who volunteered their time to help set up the event.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
