Irene is a Ukrainian/Australian single mother of 2 young boys in Mullumbimby. She recently bought her house with the inheritance she received after her mum lost her long battle with cancer. She came to the Northern Rivers to start a new life. She is well known in the community as she runs her own gelato business and is deeply involved in community initiatives. The floods have completely decimated the house and almost everything in it. The waist high water moved through quickly but left a mud slide in the house when it receded which permeated the walls. The entire house and studio (which also provided accomodation to a local) need to be gutted and rebuilt. She has lost all furniture, appliances, food, kids toys and business inventory. In addition she is unable to work as her mobile gelato business is also grounded due to the floods. As the house is in a flood zone it is not covered by insurance. She would gratefully receive any sized donation so that her and her boys are able to return to their home. They are currently living with friends. The Northern Rivers already has a huge shortage of housing so there is no possibility of them finding alternative housing not least because she no longer has an income from her business.