On 13th January 2013, a mega-fire tore through the Warrumbungles National Park in New South Wales, Australia.
Fortunately no lives were lost in the fire. However, it scorched 56,000 hectares of land and 95% of the National Park. A total of 56 homes were also destroyed and 28 firefighters were injured in their attempts to control the fire.
John and Jan Shobbrook were living in one of the 56 homes which were destroyed. They lost their home, their lifestyle and every treasured item they had ever owned.
At the time of the fire, John was preparing to build a replica of the Mini Cooper in which Paddy Hopkirk won the 1964 Monte Carlo rally. Sadly, the partly prepared Mini Cooper was also destroyed.
A pair of rally seats were subsequently found in the UK, having not yet been shipped to Australia. John requested that half of the money obtained from the seats should be donated to a charity of Paddy Hopkirk’s choice.
Today we received that donation of £100 on behalf of John.
From all at Heart of Bucks, our heartfelt thanks go out to John for his kind donation which is as a result of this terrible disaster.
