Generosity aids double theft victim

UNLUCKY BREAKS: Jill Kohlis has had two cars stolen and trashed within two weeks. The Hikurangi woman has just taken on fulltime employment after several years off to battle breast cancer and is having to borrow a friend's car. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

A Hikurangi breast cancer survivor is overwhelmed with an influx of support she has received after having two cars stolen in 12 days.

Jill Kohlis' double blow featured in the Advocate on Thursday and by yesterday she had received dozens of emails and calls offering donations, loan vehicles, and even a free car. The kindness of strangers means she will soon be in new wheels and able to resume her job as a carer - her first employment in several years after taking time off fighting her cancer.

"I'm overwhelmed," Ms Kohlis said yesterday, holding back tears. "I don't know what to say. I'm humbled by the fact there are still some nice people."

She could now return to her job at Home Support Northland Charitable Trust - visiting the elderly and disabled in their homes and helping them with tasks such as cleaning and washing - after being on leave since both of her vehicles were stolen.

The first car - a gunmetal grey 1996 Nissan Pulsar - was taken from the road outside her house on December 19, and found trashed in Paihia three days later.

Her other car - a grey 1996 Nissan Primera which had been parked next to the Pulsar - was stolen on January 3 and found several days later badly damaged on a rural road in Kawakawa.

She valued the Primera - which was not insured - at $3000 and the Pulsar - which was insured with third party fire and theft cover - at $2500.

The Pulsar was deemed written off but Ms Kohlis was not sure how she would pay the $300 excess in order to get the insurance payout.

But Northern Advocate readers stepped up to the plate - by edition time yesterday four people had offered to pay the excess amount, with Whangarei internet service provider Uber Group depositing the money into Ms Kohlis' account.

Uber are also lending her a company car until she gets her own replacement vehicle, and the company was just one of several willing to help out with temporary use of a vehicle.

Auckland caryard owner Dean Hunter saw the story on his phone while waiting for a pizza in Auckland yesterday and has offered her a free "runabout" car. "She sounds like a decent person who's fought a few battles, so we'll give her a car," he said.

Ms Kohlis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, and after radiation therapy went into remission late last year. Soon after that, she got her job with the trust. She cannot work without a vehicle, and said life without a car has been "extremely difficult". A givealittle page has been set up to her and to donate, visit http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/jillkohlis.