I am reaching out to find the power of humanity to help me and my family after extremely troubling times. I am a survivor of cancer and I coped with that but one person has stolen my livelihood, stolen my past, affected my future, messed with my mind, compromised my family's togetherness and has created so much damage all for their own satisfaction - ARSON! The real cost of arson is beyond anyone's belief!

Please read my story and if you can help me return my life (at least financially) to what it was and who I was, I will be forever grateful.

I am a person of utmost integrity and do not seek assistance lightly, in fact I will always help others before myself. It is through sheer desperation and an unthinkable circumstance which has lead me to ask for help. I am married, and I have 3 children aged 8, 6 and 7 months. I am separated with my first child's mother and I pay maintenance in full and have never missed payment. I see my daughter regularly and I am a big part in her life. I am very responsible and I live for my family.

I am an educator and have worked in this field for over 20 years, I love helping others. I have lived and worked in very remote locations and am currently living in the suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia. I have always given to others in my life as that is what I believe makes a better society. I have volunteered as an ambulance officer, country fire service member, state emergency service member and on neighbourhood watch. I have coached children's sports teams and assisted in numerous community events, and on a personal level I have discreetly given as much as I could to the disadvantaged children in my care at work, lunches/clothes etc.

I have always been careful with my lifestyle and finances. I look after myself as best as I can, I don't gamble, I don't smoke, don't do drugs and I only drink socially and generally only light beverages. I have always provided for others first and have worked extremely hard over the years to get myself a mortgage and a home for my family, but that is now in serious jeopardy!

In 2005 at the age of 32 I was diagnosed with cancer, and whilst the cancer was advanced, it was treatable. The trauma took its toll though and soon after my relationship at the time broke up. I took on the cost of setting up my very young daughter with her mother as she (my daughter) was most important, and I managed the cost of my treatment. I was internally processing the mental anguish of battling cancer and having my daughter move out with her mum. Due to the nature of my illness I had to take off a lot of time from work and used up all my entitlements, eventually having to take time off without pay. I managed the financial cost of this OK but it did stretch me. It has taken me 6 years to completely recover from the illness both physically and mentally.

Since then I became married to a wonderful person who had a son of her own, and together we formed a blended family, we also have a son together. Early 2008 I relocated so we could set up our own home and was in the process of renovating the home when the absolute unthinkable happened. In January 2009, I went out with a friend, and was enjoying a long awaited catchup. While I was out I received a phone call and I was in panicked shock from the message, Your house is on fire!! I remember yelling in the bar we were at that my house was on fire. I made my way home as fast as I could and the scene was so chaotic and distressing when I arrived back home. I tried to run down the driveway but was met by fire officers who physically restrained me from going into my own home. It was dark so I had no idea of what had happened or the extend of what had happened, all I knew was the roof had fallen in and there was a crowd of people, who were explaining to each other the sounds they heard from exploding glass earlier on. Investigations took place and it was concluded that I was a victim in a random arson attack. My house was one of 8 fires in the area over a 2 week period and to this day the arsonist has not been caught. The house was destroyed and I lost every possession I had, including my car, all I was left with what I was wearing out that night. This was a massive massive blow. The emotional distress for me and my family was so hard. I was insured but by nowhere near enough. Trying to itemise everything from the ashes was impossible and I still have memories of sifting through charred remains and finding baby keepsakes and my old childhood toys. The mental cost of this cannot be totalled as it is something that will remain with me forever.

The personal financial cost of rebuilding, and replacing furniture etc above the insurance has been well over $160000, which has added to my already sizeable mortgage. Furthermore, I had to arrange alternative accommodation which wasn't covered by insurance for almost 18 months. The psychological damage has been tremendous especially to our children as they lost many of their possessions and it has taken a lot of work to appease their minds that they are safe and that theri house won't be burnt again. All of their christmas gifts were destroyed, which at the time devastated them, and still does around Christmas time. We have replaced much of what he had, and as hard as I have tried, I am now at the stage where I am going to lose the rebuilt house as I can't keep up with the financial situation I am in.

Between the cancer and house fire I have had to take out over $200000. I have my 2 credit cards at the maximum ($12000) and am really finding it difficult to provide for my family. I work over 55 hours a week but am on a salary, so don't have a chance to earn any extra. I spend my spare time with my children and give them as much love and time as I can. I recently had to borrow money from my mum to buy clothes for my daughter, my mum is 66 and works full time in a low paid labour intensive job, with a mortgage of her own.

We have cancelled our planned family holiday to Queensland, and have had to use the money to simply pay bills and we don't go out as we can't afford it. Our children go to public schools and we are not leading a lavish lifestyle at all.

If there is anyone who reads this that has a warm heart, I would be forever grateful for any donation. I understand our story is one of thousands, especially with the recent disasters, in which I donated small amounts myself, but it has taken 2 and a half years after the fire to get to this point. I have tried so hard but I am being defeated. I have completed much of the outside work to the house myself as I can't afford contractors and there is still much to do. I can't imagine telling my children that their new house has to be sold because daddy can't afford it. That would tear me apart.

All the possesions that I have from my past prior to 2009 are my memories. No-one can replace a past, undo what has been done but can give hope for a future.
Thank you for you kind consideration