Work on house to start soon

IN THE days after the death of Kelly Wilkinson (above) the Gold Coast community pulled together, combining to help provide for the three children left behind.

A Go Fund Me raised more than $300,000 and the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation donated a 12 seater bus for Danielle and Rhys Carroll to transport their own five children and Kelly’s three kids.

The most impressive feat was taking just 48 hours to arrange for a house to be built. Gold Coast entrepreneur Tamika Smith spearheaded the push to find the land, and materials and tradies needed to build the home.

The list of contributors to the project was massive and included big construction names such as Metricon, Stratco, Lendlease, Dulux Trade and Symcorp Building Services.

On Friday, Ms Smith told the Bulletin the home was getting closer.

“The house will be starting soon,” she promised.

Anonymous donors gave the land and the location will be kept secret to protect the children.

Ms Carroll and her sister, Emma Wilkinson, said they wanted to thank everyone in the community for their support in the past year, including the school community and Hearts for Purple.