A week on from a house fire that destroyed everything he owned, the Dunedin community has rallied in support of Michael Mackay.
Mr Mackay was the sole occupant of a South Dunedin flat that went up in flames last Friday morning after a heater, being used to warm up bedding in an adjoining flat, caused the blaze.
The Otago Polytechnic business student was left with only what he was wearing that night and was uninsured.
Locals have come to Mr Mackay's aid, supplying him with clothing, shoes, beds, bedding, couches, money, vouchers and other essential items and an online page has been set up to get him back on his feet.
''It is very humbling to realise there are people out there prepared to give me things,'' Mr Mackay said.
''For me it's a forced fresh start.
''It's bloody awesome.''
Friend Kiri Hohaia was appreciative of the help given to Mr Mackay.
''Michael's very, very overwhelmed and humbled by it all,'' Mrs Hohaia said.
''It's just outside help, people you don't even know, total strangers.
''It's just wonderful how Dunedin people come together [and] people need to know how much he appreciates the help.''
Otago Polytechnic Students' Association student support adviser and advocate Lesley Scoullar said they offered immediate assistance to Mr Mackay after the fire.
''Michael was pretty upset and only had the clothes he was standing in and had to borrow shoes,'' she said.
''OPSA just organised some financial help [and] this has enabled him to purchase clothes and other personal items.''
Mr Mackay would stay with friends until the end of the year before looking for his own place.
