Relieving teacher Barbara Wilson said she was touched after reading a story in the Otago Daily Times yesterday about a young Dunedin nurse helping burns victims, and decided she had to do her bit for those left homeless from the bushfires.
"These people will be emotional wrecks . . .Many of them have lost their homes, their possessions, even their family members, and I think it would be great if we could open up our homes to them."
A former resident of the outlying Sydney suburb of Hornsby, Ms Wilson and her partner, Michael Mason, witnessed the destructive force of the Australian bushfire before returning to New Zealand several years ago.
"What we saw was nothing compared to this one. It is appalling to see what is happening over there, and because they are our neighbours I think we should be doing more to help them."
Ms Wilson said she would gladly offer her spare bedroom of her Maori Hill home to a bushfire survivor and wants other residents to do the same.
If enough people supported the idea, airlines could be encouraged to fly survivors over for free "as they are often saying they are flying half full".
"I am sure people would support this idea to open up their homes. Let's show the rest of the world how generous we can be."
• If you would like to offer your home to bushfire victims please email reporters@odt.co.nz
