Community rallies for a family facing …

By Bridget Brady
THE family of a Cranbourne boy who died in a house fire on Boxing Day has been overwhelmed with support and donations from the local community.
Twelve-year-old Timothy de Voigt died after a fire started in his family home at Averne Street in Cranbourne in the early hours of 26 December. The rest of his family made it out safely.
It ended a tragic Christmas for the de Voigt family, as father Mr de Voigt lost his job at Narre Warren on Christmas Eve.
Amanda Robertson, the sister of Timothy’s mother Donna, said Timothy’s mother and father and five siblings were coping as best they could after the Christmas tragedy. She aid the outpouring of donations and support was remarkable.
“They are devastated. I think we are still in shock and we will be for God knows how long. It hasn’t sunk in,” Ms Roberston said.
“My brother died 22 years ago on 21 December, he was 15, so Christmas has always been hard for us and now with Timmy on the 26th it’s made it that bit worse.”
Cranbourne Regional Uniting Church has been accepting donations for the family, and secretary Rosemary Kreun said donations of furniture, bedding, clothing and toys had been coming in from all over the region.
“We have enough single beds for all the kids, and we’re still accepting cheques and taking donations of furniture,” Ms Kreun said.
“We know families can pull together at these times. It’s just a community thing.”
Ms Robertson said the family lost everything, including Christmas presents, in the fire and the support was “absolutely fantastic”.
“There have been some amazing people. It’s blown them away.”
One woman from Ivanhoe bought the children a new Wii gaming console after their presents were ruined in the fire, Ms Robertson said.
Timothy had just completed school at Cranbourne Primary School and was due to start his secondary schooling this year.
His funeral will be held today (Thursday), and Ms Robertson said the family would remember a beautifully natured boy who was a computer “genius”.
“He had a cheeky smile and was an absolute character. They are missing him. They are a very close family.”
The Cranbourne Regional Uniting Church is accepting donations and can be contacted on 5996 4939.