Fuel warms dying woman's heart

Tracey Allen has a terminal illness but is grateful for the support of the community, including a wood pellet donation from Nature's Flame. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

As winter approaches, juggling the cost of heating is something many people struggle with. But, for Tracey Allen, it comes with added problems.

The terminally ill Rotorua woman needs to stay warm and sometimes the beneficiary admits it comes down to a choice between "heating or eating".

Not one to ask for help or lament her situation, the 55-year-old is under palliative care because of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

But she's been given a temporary reprieve from worrying about the cost of heating - for a few days at least - thanks to a donation of bags of pellets from Taupo-based company Nature's Flame.

The company gave her 10 of its 15kg bags of pellets for her pellet fire after hearing her story through friend Maria Moore, who has also set up a Givealittle page for Ms Allen.

Each bag should last her a day or two.

For Ms Allen, it is just another example of the amazing community she can't speak highly enough about.

"Rotorua is the best place, the hospital is the best hospital. I can't rave enough about it."

She said if there was one message she could get across, it was how amazing the community had been to her.

"I'm so proud of this town, and this town should be proud of itself."

After years struggling with poor lungs and bronchitis, Ms Allen was put under the care of Rotorua Community Hospice when she moved to Rotorua about three years ago.

After an illness last year, where doctors sent her home to die, the talented artist has been busy painting and decorating her own coffin, which will be covered in letters from her grandchildren and other special mementoes like Christmas hats.

On permanent oxygen, Ms Allen is confined to her house most days, with the need to stay warm a big battle.

"Temperature is a big thing for me."

While Ms Allen gets tired easily, and spends a lot of time resting, she also aimed to do her Masters of Fine Arts this year.

"I'm absolutely exhausted 99 per cent of the time."

Now on an invalid's benefit, Ms Allen juggles the costs of rent, phone, power, oxygen and food.

"It is a struggle financially."

Ms Moore said she decided to contact the pellet suppliers and set up a Givealittle page for her friend as a way to do something to make her friend's life easier.

"I'm sick of my mate suffering."

Ms Moore, who has known Ms Allen since they were in their teens, said her friend always helped others, so now it was time for others to help her.

Nature's Flame account manager Eric Gillan said the company was happy to help out when it heard Ms Allen's story, especially given she was a longstanding customer.

"We were touched with the circumstances."

To help Ms Allen with her expenses, go to givealittle. co.nz/cause/help4traceyallen