A new sailing boat for Helge
My boat builder Helge, who built the entire ship with me, loves boats and the water. He lived on a sailing boat himself - until 5 October.
On Friday, 5 October 2018, there was a gas explosion on his boat for as yet unexplained reasons - a defective gas cylinder or heater is suspected. This was also reported by the Press.
Helge and his sailing boat
Helge survived the explosion - by a miracle. with burns on his back and arms. He was discharged from hospital the following Wednesday and the burns are healing well. A huge reason for gratitude!
However, his sailing boat, which was also his home, is completely destroyed. The superstructure has been blown away by the explosion, the mast is broken, the bow too and the boat has sunk. It's enough to make you cry.
The boat was salvaged by the fire brigade and friends and I - while Helge was still in hospital - tried to save what possessions we could. We were able to salvage some of the clothes, tools and personal documents. A lot of things had been broken, melted or destroyed by the explosion. Friends provided us with sufficient clothing and a new mobile phone immediately after the disaster.Helge without sailboat
Helge is now living with me on board in one of the guest cabins. I'm supporting him as best I can with practical help and food.
A new boat costs between 5 and 10,000 euros, depending on how much needs to be done to it to make it a permanent, year-round home.
The ideal solution would be a sufficiently large boat, about 10 metres long, that he can really use as a home for the next few decades.
As a self-employed boat builder with children of university age, he has no savings. And he will probably have to pay several thousand euros for the police operation, salvaging the boat, etc. A new boat is therefore out of reach for him.Working together to make a new sailing boat possible for Helge
I think together we could manage to get a new boat for Helge.
I have set up an account for a new boat for Helge (the account is in my name: Kerstin Hack:
DE20 1008 0000 0479 8594 08
It would be wonderful if you could help with a small or large contribution so that Helge can live on the water again.
If it's easier for you, you can also use PayPal: Info@down-to-earth.deWhether you can and want to help financially or not - I am very grateful if you pray for Helge (in the picture he is sitting on my deck):
- that his body heals well
- Good luck and lots of strength for all practical and emotional challenges.
He is very, very grateful that he is still alive. I hope that God will give him a deep new beginning on all levels.
