Kindness helps combat misery

STRANGERS swamped Queensland flood evacuation centres with donations and pitched in to clear debris yesterday.

STRANGERS swamped Queensland flood evacuation centres with donations and pitched in to clear debris yesterday.

In a spontaneous show of selflessness that exposed Brisbane's "country town" roots, the River City's main evacuation centre at the RNA Showgrounds had to turn away the steady stream of donors bearing clothing, toys and food.

Michael Visser, who owns the Kidsworld play centre at Byron Bay, drove nearly two hours to deliver a blow-up jumping castle for children left homeless by the floodwaters.

"We couldn't get on to anyone from the evacuation centre so we just jumped into the car," Mr Visser said.

"We'd seen the kids colouring in on the news, and we thought you can only colour in for so long; hopefully this will make their day."

Even after flooding closed the Le Bon Choix patisserie in the CBD, it kept its suburban bakery open to deliver regular supplies of baguettes and croissants to evacuees.

French-born owner Savico Basset-Rouge was so touched by the kindness of strangers and customers who pitched in to sandbag his bakery that he wanted to help others.

"The only thing I can do is give people some food," he said.

Right across Queensland, flood victims told tales of the generosity of neighbours and strangers who pitched in to help.

As the RSPCA animal refuge began flooding in Fairfield, neighbours opened their garages to store supplies, while others spirited away the 300 stray animals for "foster care".

In Ispwich, residents went doorknocking for clothes and toiletries to give to those who had lost everything. In McGill Street in Basin Pocket, one of the streets worst hit by the rising Bremer River, a team of locals went around hosing down the mud from homes before the residents returned.

"They were here before I even got here," said Campbell Blackwood, whose home was flooded this week and in 1974. "The support has just been marvellous."

An army of relatives and friends was helping him and his wife clear the mess -- and he had to "chase away" a friend recovering from bowel cancer, who had insisted on assisting.

A resident who lost his home, Bob Gooley, was busy coping with the mess left by the floods but planned to go next door to help his neighbour once he was done.

"They have lost everything and my parents are keeping an eye out for when they get home so we can help," he said.

Residents spared the devastation began offering their homes to billet evacuees.

More than 1100 beds in 360 houses were offered within 24 hours of a group of volunteer web developers launching billeting website www.qldfloods.org.