‘A STRANGER GAVE ME A CAR’
Single mum Natasha is forever grateful Wally chose her
Wiping away tears of joy, Natasha Degier could hardly believe she was holding the keys to her own car – all thanks to one very generous stranger.
The single mum, 25, was the recipient of a random act of kindness by Wally Noppert, who chose to give away his vehicle to someone in need.
It's an act of goodwill the university student will always cherish. “Without this gift of a car I would be stuck,” says Natasha, who lives in Southport, Queensland, with her daughter Kaylee, four.
“Wal changed my world and made me believe that amazing people are out there. I am so grateful to him.”
The pair connected over social media when Wally, 40, posted his idea to give his car to a deserving local on a community Facebook group.
Overnight, the father-of-two was flooded with thousands of messages, but when he read Natasha's story, he knew immediately she was the right person.
After her relationship ended, Natasha was trying to rebuild her life, but without a car it was proving difficult. Sharing custody of her daughter without transport, Natasha was unable to drive Kaylee to daycare or attend university classes on campus.
A single parent himself, Wally understood Natasha's struggles. “Knowing what it would be like not being able to see your kids because of transport… I felt for her,” says Wally, who is father to two children, Maya, 10, and Mckenna, 11.
For Natasha, receiving the phone call telling her the car was hers was a dream come true. “I couldn't believe I was chosen,” says Natasha, overcome with emotion.
“It meant I could start fresh and get back on with my life… I was so happy.”
The pair arranged to meet, and two weeks later Natasha was the proud owner of a 2000 Holden Calais. It was a moment neither Wal or Natasha will ever forget.
“Handing the keys over was really special,” recalls Wal. “And when Kaylee came over and gave me the biggest hug… that was quite a moment to cherish,” he says.
Excited to be getting back on her feet, Natasha is hoping that one day she'll be able to help someone, like Wal helped her. “There are not a lot of people out there like Wal,” she says. “I just hope I can pay it forward myself and gift someone something in the future.”
‘It meant I could start fresh and get back on with my life’