Help a brother out
Donation protected
My name is Thomas for those who don't know me and i work as a designer and photographer for a living. I absolutely love what i do and have worked extremely hard over the last 10 years to get where i am today and to acquire quality equipment to do my job.
A little over a week ago i finished up work and headed straight to the Burleigh Point to get a few sneaky waves in before dark. It was a long day and i needed to get in the water. I was so pumped when i got there because the waves were pumping so i got my gear locked up my car and put my key in a specialised surf padlock with a combination. Now these things are solid metal. So i didnt think twice about it as they are advertised as 'Key Safe' surf locks.
After an hour i came in to find my Honda CRV had been stolen...along with everything inside. Needless to say i was almost in disbelief at what had happened, and then the contents of what was in that car started to come to me and i started to freak out.
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Post from night of theft.
** so i have just totalled up the amount for the personal items that were in the car at the time it was stolen and its a bit heartbreaking. Camera gear, laptops, phone, wallet, sunnies, clothes etc totalling a sum of $19,200 (actually came to $20,750). I have looked at my comprehensive insurance policy and it looks like they only pay out upto $500 for personal items in total. So I'm approximately $18,700 (actually $20,250) out of pocket. Thats not even taking the value of the car into consideration either. Its pretty devastating considering i use and need that gear to make a living...
** Note to all surfers out there. My keys were locked in a surf lock parked at the top of Burleigh Point in the carpark. I would highly recommend not using any form of surf lock to secure your keys.
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Since then i have been in constant contact with the police and my insurance over this and even though i had the highest level of cover possible they would not cover any of my personal items, also my car was used in an armed robbery and then trashed.
Im not really one to ask for handouts but this has left me in a position where i do not know what else to do. I cannot afford to buy all of the gear again anytime soon as it took my nearly 10 years to work up the money for it all.
I'm extremley thankful that you have taken the time to read about my story and appreciate even the consideration of helping me. Every cent will go towards purchasing a camera and lens so i can get back to work and slowly chip away at getting the rest of the lenses, flashes, lighting etc again.
Thankyou for your time and compassion.
Thomas.
A little over a week ago i finished up work and headed straight to the Burleigh Point to get a few sneaky waves in before dark. It was a long day and i needed to get in the water. I was so pumped when i got there because the waves were pumping so i got my gear locked up my car and put my key in a specialised surf padlock with a combination. Now these things are solid metal. So i didnt think twice about it as they are advertised as 'Key Safe' surf locks.
After an hour i came in to find my Honda CRV had been stolen...along with everything inside. Needless to say i was almost in disbelief at what had happened, and then the contents of what was in that car started to come to me and i started to freak out.
--
Post from night of theft.
** so i have just totalled up the amount for the personal items that were in the car at the time it was stolen and its a bit heartbreaking. Camera gear, laptops, phone, wallet, sunnies, clothes etc totalling a sum of $19,200 (actually came to $20,750). I have looked at my comprehensive insurance policy and it looks like they only pay out upto $500 for personal items in total. So I'm approximately $18,700 (actually $20,250) out of pocket. Thats not even taking the value of the car into consideration either. Its pretty devastating considering i use and need that gear to make a living...
** Note to all surfers out there. My keys were locked in a surf lock parked at the top of Burleigh Point in the carpark. I would highly recommend not using any form of surf lock to secure your keys.
--
Since then i have been in constant contact with the police and my insurance over this and even though i had the highest level of cover possible they would not cover any of my personal items, also my car was used in an armed robbery and then trashed.
Im not really one to ask for handouts but this has left me in a position where i do not know what else to do. I cannot afford to buy all of the gear again anytime soon as it took my nearly 10 years to work up the money for it all.
I'm extremley thankful that you have taken the time to read about my story and appreciate even the consideration of helping me. Every cent will go towards purchasing a camera and lens so i can get back to work and slowly chip away at getting the rest of the lenses, flashes, lighting etc again.
Thankyou for your time and compassion.
Thomas.
Organizer
Thomas Smith
Organizer
Burleigh Waters, QLD