As the mercury nudged 38 degrees on Thursday afternoon, Kylie Stone, her eight-year-old twin boys and friends Mick and Sharon Apps loaded up hundreds of donated items on a truck. On Friday, she and her partner were due to set out on the eight-hour trip to Taree to meet a Lions Club representative, whose organisation had pledged to distribute the items to people affected by fires in the area.

"I feel for them. I'm a bit of a softie when it comes to things like that," Miss Stone said.

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It all started with a clean-up around her own house a few weeks ago. There were so many things that she suggested to her sons, Toby and Ben, that they donate the items. They wholeheartedly agreed. Then came her Facebook post, asking for more.

"So that's what started the epidemic we created," Miss Stone laughed.

Donations have poured in from Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Braidwood, and the local Priceline Pharmacy came on board with water, toiletries, food and vouchers. There was also clothing, toys, linen, more non-perishable food, gift cards and even a small washing machine.

As they were packing the vehicle, a woman turned up with donations from the Charles Sturt University team at the NSW Police Academy

Miss Stone, a personal carer, said one of her clients bought $700 worth of new underwear and purchased toiletries for fire victims. Miss Stone herself also contributed, Goulburn Hertz gave free use of a truck for the delivery and a friend paid the fuel.

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She estimates the items are worth thousands of dollars.

"It's been a bit overwhelming," she said of the donations.

"I've been collecting since last Wednesday and I've been inundated. It's still coming in."

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Miss Stone said she was motivated by the fact she had a lot of family around Taree and holidayed there every year. Although her family wasn't directly affected by the fires, they were close by. The blaze near Wingham was 30km away from her mother at Taree, while another fire was 1km from her auntie at Foster

"I'd hate to be in their situation so I hope this helps them out," she told The Post.

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