WHEN Michelle Fernance, a much-loved employee of the Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club, lost everything in a house fire earlier this year, the local community wasted no time stepping in to help.
On January 7, Michelle’s life changed in an instant when her washing machine caught fire, quickly engulfing her rented home in Marsden.
“We lost all our belong-ings,” she said. “Probably about $60,000 worth.
“My mum was living with me at the time, and she had all her valuables there too.”
The fire not only destroyed their possessions but also caused injuries.
“Mum got burns to the face,” Michelle said.
“She had to go into respite care until February 7 because I had nowhere to put her. But she’s home with me again now.”
To make matters worse, Michelle didn’t have insurance and was left starting from scratch.
“We were only renting the property,” she said. “So, everything we owned was just … gone.”
But from tragedy came a powerful show of compassion.
Michelle, who works in gaming promotions at the Sharks, was overwhelmed when her workplace organised a month-long fundraiser to support her.
“They put on a raffle with a big esky full of alcohol and all sorts of goodies,” she said.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all – I’d only been there for eight months.
“But they raised $3045 for me. It was just incredible.”
She used the funds to start rebuilding her life – buying essentials like a bed and other day-to-day items.
Now living in a rental at Victoria Point, Michelle is slowly getting back on her feet with Mum by her side.
Recently, Michelle took part in the Leukemia Walk, where she personally thanked those who supported her.
She also wanted to place a public message of appreciation in the Redland Bayside News.
“I was very happy with what the Sharks did for me,” she said. “It just shows what a real community looks like.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Sharks and their amazing customers for being there for me during one of the hardest times of my life.”
