‘Overwhelming’: Month of free rent for Lennard family after horrific Cringila crash
The Lennard family have lived through the week from hell, after a car smashed through and destroyed their Cringila home. But things are finally looking up, with the family moving into a new home, rent-free for the first month.
Illawarra Star
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Last Saturday, the Lennard family’s life was was torn apart in just a few short moments.
Just after 3.30am, as the family slept in their Cringila home, an out-of-control car smashed into their front bedroom and burst into flames.
The car narrowly missed Ainsley, her husband Guy and their three-year-old daughter Lyla.
In the moments following the horrific crash, Guy and Ainsley scrambled to find their daughter, who had been buried under the rubble.
The days following the traumatic crash were “even worse”.
The Lennards were locked out of their home, unable to retrieve any of their personal belongings, and hit with the news the property would likely be demolished, due to structural damage and asbestos fears.
But, after what can only be described as a terrible few days, the Lennards lives have gotten a little brighter, all thanks to the generosity of the community.
On Friday, Illawarra Estate Agents handed the Lennards the keys to a new rental home, offering to waive their rent for the first month to help them get back on their feet.
A tearful Ms Lennard said she was overwhelmed by the support of the community over the past six days, and couldn’t believe how kind people had been.
“You’re left feeling in a pit,” she said. “But within hours people started showing their support, you realise there are people out there who genuinely care.”
Ms Lennard said a rent-free month would help her and Guy “get back on their feet” and replace a lot of their belongings destroyed in the horrific crash.
“We’ve got to get furniture, clothes, those things you don’t really think about,” she said. “This will be such a big help”.
Illawarra Estate Agents managing director Klayten Searl said offering a month’s free rent was the least he and his team could do for the Lennard family.
“Having kids myself you want to put yourself in their shoes,” he said.
“No one ever wants these things to occur …. It’s always good to have a positive spin and a good outcome.”
Walking through their new Barrack Heights rental on Friday the Lennard family was all smiles, with Lyla telling mum and dad where she’d like the bed to go in her new bedroom.
Conveniently, the new rental is right under the watchful eye of Ainsley’s mum Tracey.
“I’m right across the road,” Tracey said.
“If I hear any noises I know I can jump out of bed and run across the road now, so that’s the bonus of having them so close.
“I couldn’t have them any further away from me, they are my kids and it’s just been just as scary for me as it has for them.”
Tracey said she’d been overwhelmed by the donations and support Guy, Ainsley and Lyla had received over the past few days, saying the generosity had restored her faith in the community.
“Seeing my kids suffer after everything they’ve been through, it’s been heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking. I have no words to describe what they’ve been through this week,” she said.
“It’s going to take some time … but they can slowly start to rebuild their lives.”
The 21-year-old driver allegedly responsible for the crash has been charged driving while disqualified and negligent driving and is set to face court next month.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Lennard family, click here to donate.
The Lennard family has extended their sincere thanks to everyone who had donated clothing, furniture and money to help them get back on their feet.