Charity and army lend a hand to Manawatu mum after black mould lands her in hospital

March 28, 2018

A Manawatu solo mother whose home was infested with black mould has had a local charity - and army engineers - come to her rescue.

Debra Liddell became badly ill most likely due to the mould in her Shannon home after it was discovered in many areas.

"I kept having recurring respiratory problems and blocked sinus which did not go away despite repeated visits to the doctor and medication," Ms Liddell wrote on her Givealittle page .

"When I got out of hospital in July after having influenza A, it was discovered there was a leak in my bathroom, both from the toilet and shower mixer.

"After the linings from the bath were removed we discovered black mould had caused rot and was throughout two thirds of my bathroom."

Ms Liddell appealed for help from the community, saying her 15-year-old daughter Lizzie was left having to take care of her, as well as herself, and that "I have always tried to support myself and my daughter and never asked for help unless I was desperate".

"I know it is an incredibly huge ask and I would rather be in a position to do this myself but right now I can't," Ms Liddell wrote.

After a search for a party willing to help, Ms Liddell came across a charity called Homes for People, and founder Darren Birch accepted the challenge.

Mr Birch's charity put up the $8000 required for the crucial work to be completed - which Ms Liddell will pay back over time - and organised it to be done for free by New Zealand Defence Force engineers as part of their training.

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