The town's big-hearted tradies from Wagga Community Blitz are calling on local businesses to come on board with their first project that will help a couple caught in a torrid battle against cancer.
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The newly established Wagga Community Blitz, a team of local tradespeople volunteering their skills and time to those in need, are looking for more people to join their ranks and donate anything they can to their up-coming project.
The group's sights are set on the Kooringal home of Lisa Saffery and Sarah Williams, which was devastated by flooding in storms on Friday.
The extent of the damage is far more than either women can afford, as Ms Williams was forced to give up work when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and Ms Saffery dropped back to part time work so as to care for their three young children.
The group was founded by carpenter Dane Smith, along with plasterer Lance Carr, plumber Blair Merlehan and businessman Charles Talbot, all of who wanted to donate their time and skills rather than just money.
"I've given a lot of money to organisations and I got tired of not seeing the direct result of that donation," Mr Smith said.
"So what we want to do instead is donate our time and skills, which I think is so much more valuable and the people in need will feel the direct benefit immediately."
Despite having many years of experience between them, the men acknowledge it is vital to get as many local businesses on board as possible to complete their projects.
"We've raised interest and gotten the idea out there and now we need to turn it into a reality and really have people backing us up," Mr Smith said.
"Many hands make light work and the more people we get on board, the more we can get done that this struggling family don't have to deal with."
Despite the huge show of support from the community, Mr Smith said the team still requires assistance for their first project from fencing and flooring tradesman and support from a local hotel, who could offer accommodation to the couple and their three children while the repairs are underway.
Wagga Community Blitz has also enlisted the help of students from the Bidgee school to help with the repair works and jobs such as weeding, planting and painting.
"It's great to be getting those young kids into things like this,” Mr Smith said. “They struggle to learn from books and this way they are getting that hands on experience they just love.”
Mr Smith reiterated any extra help would be greatly appreciated and hopes to begin repairs on the home in December.
