The Newport community is rallying behind single father-of-two Grant Schukow after a fire destroyed his home last month, killing one of his daughters’ beloved cats and leaving him with no insurance to cover the loss.
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Friends Tayla and Trent have launched a fundraising campaign to help Grant, who shares custody of his two girls, aged seven and 10, rebuild his life. The blaze is believed to have started in the garage, possibly from a charging vacuum cleaner and spread rapidly.
The garage, which Grant had transformed into a music recording studio, was engulfed within minutes. Although flames didn’t reach every room, the intense heat and smoke wave destroyed or melted almost everything inside. By the time firefighters arrived, the damage was beyond saving.
The fundraiser aims to cover a wide range of urgent needs, from emergency accommodation and essentials to replacing furniture, clothes, toys, and household items. Funds will also go towards clean-up and demolition, full home restoration, and creating a safe, stable space for his daughters.
“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference,” Tayla and Trent said in their appeal. “It helps ease the weight on Grant’s shoulders and brings him one step closer to putting his life back together. If you’re not in a position to donate, even sharing this page means the world.”
Grant, who has been unable to work and is currently on Work Cover, had let his home insurance lapse late last year due to financial pressures. He had been prioritising expenses for his daughters when the fire struck, just minutes after he dropped them at their mother’s home.
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Tayla and Trent said the campaign is about more than just raising money — it’s about showing solidarity. “Let’s remind Grant what community really means,” they said. “That when everything falls apart, people show up.”
“He’s a kind, quiet, genuine person, completely overwhelmed by the scale of this loss. He’s grieving, in shock, and trying to stay strong for his daughters. What he needs now is to know he’s not alone. That his community is behind him. That there’s still hope.”
Donations can be made via the GoFundMe page: Help Rebuild Grant’s Life After a Devastating House Fire.
Featured image credit: Tayla Bayne/GoFundMe
Published 15-August-2025
