Tears of joy as Jill hits road

Jill Kohlis is overwhelmed by the support she has received since having two cars stolen in the space of 12 days. Photo / John Stone

Sponge cakes and pavlovas are on offer for those who donated to help give Jill Kohlis' "life back".

The Hikurangi breast cancer survivor was left stranded and unable to work after both of her cars were stolen in the space of 12 days. It was her first job for almost two years after taking time off to fight the disease.

After a story in the Northern Advocate about the thefts, Ms Kohlis was inundated with offers of support, including cash donations and a loan vehicle.

Yesterday she picked up the bright pink Toyota Vitz - loaned to her by Whangarei business Uber Group - that will be her vehicle until she finds a replacement.

"It's a neat car. You will see me coming," she said.

"I'm back on the road. I'm mobile, getting around doing my chores. It's just given me my life back," she said.

Having a car meant she has been able to go back to her job with the Home Support Northland Charitable Trust, which involves visiting the elderly and disabled in their homes and helping them with tasks such as cleaning and washing. She has also received nearly $1000 in donations, so she will be able to pay the $300 excess required to get the insurance for one of the vehicles - which she could not afford before.

"I just don't know what to say - it restores your faith," she said, fighting back tears.

"It's pretty overwhelming. There's more nice people than bad people. If any of the donators like sponge cake or pavlovas, I'm good at making both. I can't repay in money but I can bake something."

Ms Kohlis was only two months into her job as a home support worker - after taking several years off work to battle breast cancer - when she got dealt the double blow of having two cars 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.

To donate, visit http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/jillkohlis.