On December 28 Ben Clark and Kalyanii Howard got a Christmas present no one would have wanted when their Witta home was badly damaged by fire.

Fortunately the couple and their 2 and a half-year-old son Jaquin were at the Woodford Folk Festival at the time.  However they lost many possessions in the blaze.

The Local Disaster Fund committee, SES Group Leader Lloyd Larney, Maleny Police Senior Constable Jeff Brandt and Rotary President Roly Nieper presented Ben with a cheque from the Fund to help them back on their feet.  Rob Outridge also chipped in, with a grocery voucher for the Maleny IGA.

Ben was very grateful to the community for the money, which he said would help to get them started again.   He said he was fortunate that they were camping at Woodford and saved at least a few things.   He was also grateful that his family was not hurt.

The Local Disaster Fund was established nearly ten years ago after a bad car smash at Witta.   The fund purchased a 'jaws of life' then banked funds for the benefit of local people in distressful situations such as that experienced by Ben and Kalyanii.   The past year has seen three families supported by the Fund after house fires.

Community and Service Clubs regularly contribute to the Fund, which is administered by the Rotary Club of Maleny.   On this occasion the Maleny RSL immediately contributed money to help rebuild the Fund, on hearing of Ben and Kalyanii's loss.

Photo  Fund Committee presenting Ben Clark with a cheque
after his home was burnt down on December 28.