The Otago Daily Times received many offers of help yesterday after a front page report on Joy Rudland and Sarah Rennie and their five children, who lost everything they owned in the May 11 fire which destroyed their Waitati home, which was insured.
Otago Girls' High School donated the $1800 proceeds of its annual school mufti day, deputy principal Jock Murley said yesterday.
"Something like this doesn't happen very often and we wanted to do something for the family.
"Sarah [Gifford] is a prefect at school and we know life must be fairly tough for them. They've lost all their possessions."
Fairfield reader Fleur Sharplin Bezett called to offer household electrical goods, bedding and furniture.
"They look like a lovely family and really nice kids and we just wanted to do anything we could to help. If we have got anything that would help, then they're welcome to it."
Scholastic Books South Island manager Jeremy Ross also wants to donate books to the family.
"All kids need books," he said.
Ms Rudland said the family was "humbled" by the support and wanted to thank friends and colleagues at Dunedin Hospital and the University of Otago, Otago Girls' High School, George Street Normal School, Opoho School, Alhambra Junior Rugby Club, West Taieri Pony Club and Saturday Morning Music.
