Overwhelming act of kindness for Lam family who lost their Thornton home in a fire last year

In July last year the Lam family escaped with only the clothes they were wearing, when fire tore through their Singleton Avenue home in the early hours of the morning.

Peter Lam, his wife Mila and their two highly dependant autistic sons, Winston and Nazar, were taken to Maitland Hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and admitted. 

Mr Lam, a salesman for Beresfield Food Services, said Maitland Hospital offered the family temporary shelter for seven days before they were able to rent in Beresfield.

Maitland businessman Hilton Grugeon was moved by the family's plight after reading a report in The Mercury. While a Go Fund Me Page was set up, Mr Grugeon knew there was much more he could do to help. "The support from the building community with demolition, trades people and Bunnings on board, was unbelievable. Bunnings had a lot of input donating  a full kitchen and Ken Pannowitz from Husky Demolition went above and beyond," Mr Grugeon said.

"Work carried out on Mr Lam's house was done for half the normal cost. Only the external brickwork was retained, rendered and painted. The remainder of the home was completely rebuilt," Mr Grugeon said. Hunter Insurance Services have taken care of Mr Lam's insurance for the next 12 months.

Mr Lam immigrated to Australia in the early 1980s from his native Hong Kong for a better life. The family settled in Thornton because it was a peaceful suburb. After securing a job, settling into family life and starting a mortgage, Mr Lam was under the impression that house insurance was only needed while you paid off your home loan. "His mortgage was paid off and the insurance payments stopped," Mr Grugeon said. "So after the fire, they were left with nothing."

Mr Grugeon called in the troops, the response was inspirational. From tradies to bankers and insurance companies, they all pitched in. "We are overwhelmed by their generosity. They did a wonderful job and we love every part of our new house. It was built with love and passion. We have painted the interior apple green because it means new beginnings," Mr Lam said.