Anne Tolmie was thrilled to see her new trailer set up and ready to live in on her rural Saanich property on Tuesday.
The trailer was paid for by public donations after the 78-year-old’s house was badly damaged in a series of break-ins while Tolmie — a member of the region’s pioneering Tolmie family — was in hospital with pneumonia.
The intruders took antiques, family mementos and furniture, and removed copper pipes, leaving the basement in tatters.
“Isn’t that fabulous,” she said Tuesday, after seeing the trailer next to the house. “I think it’s terrific. There’s no place like home sweet trailer.”
She and friend Nathalie Chambers from neighbouring Madrona Farm found the trailer for sale on the weekend. Chambers and others were determined to get it ready for Tolmie as soon as possible.
Tolmie’s home was already in need of work before it was badly damaged during the break-ins, and is now beyond repair, said Nathalie’s husband, Dave Chambers. “Now it’s a matter of getting inside and sorting through things.”
Nathalie Chambers, a member of Saanich council who set up an online fundraiser for the trailer that surpassed its $10,000 goal within days, said people all over the city responded generously to Tolmie’s plight.
Aside from donating money, members of the public have been offering to contribute items and provide free services since learning of the senior’s story.
“It was just an absolutely amazing thing,” Chambers said. “There are so many things going on in the world where we’re powerless, but here is something where we could help each other.
“When the chips are down, we are going to band together.”
Tolmie said there is no way she could have gotten through without the help of so many.
“This is not something I could have done by myself,” she said. “It’s great to have friends around and have the support. I didn’t even know a lot of these people who were so kind and so generous, and who really came to the rescue.
“This is quite the reverse of having the house trashed.”
Saanich police continue to investigate the break-ins.
Police have been to the home to document its condition and collect evidence, and an officer has been assigned to work with Tolmie and offer support.
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