A Give a Little Page has been set up for a Christchurch family of five who lost everything in a devastating fire.

Fire and Emergency crews were called to their rented property on Cashel Street on the 18th January, just after 5pm, to find the unit well ablaze.

Jolly told Chris Lynch, her teenage sons were home at the time of the blaze which started on a cooking element.

The owner of the complex did not insure the property, although it is managed by a property manager at Christchurch based company Braziers.

Her children, 18, 14 and 10 were home that day and were able to get out safely.

Jolly said “the family has been so grateful for the support provided by her employers at the Christchurch Casino.

The GP already treated my son’s burn as the blister grew big after a few days.

They are scheduled to see a counsellor which I requested to make sure that no trauma will eat away at them, especially my second son feels so guilty about what had happened.”

Jolly said “we keep on telling him that it’s not his fault.

It’s an accident that no one was expecting. We just all need to learn from it. Currently, no one in the household dares to go near a stove and move around the kitchen much.”

She said “it was devastating to hear the story from my kids as they told me that they’d witnessed how the fire spread to the dining chair, breaking the glass dining table and moving quickly to the lounge.

Memories quickly flashed back feeling hopeless, wishing they could do something to stop the fire and save the house as all our family memories were there.

We have lived in the same flat (for six years) since my family came to New Zealand from the Philippines.”

Jolly said her family has been so thankful for all the overwhelming support.

“Being a migrant with no relatives, it’s comforting to know that the community is dependable. We still feel blessed to have a compassionate employer who looked after us and took the initiative to provide temporary accommodation for us without us asking for it.

They allowed me to have special leave so I could focus on re-establishing my family.

My husband’s company, Hagley, has been very supportive as well.

They are keeping the tangible donations in the meantime until we find a place to stay for good.

All the messages checking on us from here in New Zealand back in the Philippines and some of my friends in the US and Japan are so comforting and it’s making us strong. With the love of everyone, I know our family can stand up strong.”

Jolly said “we’re still holding on to our family’s guiding verse: “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.