A Winnipeg family that lost their autistic son to cancer last year suffered another tragedy in early August when the house they just moved in to caught fire.
“We lost everything from there. We had to leave with no shoes, no socks. Two of my girls were in night gowns, and some of them were in pajamas,” said Martha Hudson.
Now the family is looking for a place where they can stay with their ten children after money for the hotel they had been staying at dried up.
Hudson, her husband, William, and their children — who are between the ages of two and 19 — had just moved into the house at 390 Victor St. the night before the fire.
The Hudsons had just moved back into the home on Victor St. the night before the fire broke out on the back porch. (Donna Lee/CBC)
They had lived in the home with their 14-year-old son who passed away from cancer in October last year, but left the house after his death. They decided to return after the kids begged to move back.
Wolfgang Hudson’s battle with cancer made headlines in January 2014 when an anonymous Winnipeg Jets season-ticket holder donated three tickets to him and his family.
After the fire on Aug. 1, the family was put up in a hotel paid for by the Red Cross and Hudson’s home community of God’s River First Nation. Now the large family is looking for a home big enough to house all of them.
Hudson said that they were able to retrieve a few items from the house after the fire but whatever was left was taken by looters.
“I was crying … People were just taking our things,” Hudson said.
Hudson said she paid the August rent in full before moving into the house on Victor but the landlord has not returned the rent money after the fire. She said, as of Thursday, the family will be homeless.
“We don’t want to go to the shelters because they are trying to separate our family. Right now, in our healing process, it’s not the best thing for them,” Hudson said.
Hudson’s 19-year-old son is considered an adult and can’t join them in the shelter, she said adding he has a disability and cannot care for himself.
“Basically, right now, we are just trying to put a roof over the children’s heads, something stable for now until housing comes through,” Hudson said.
‘Provide the simplest necessities in life’
The family is on a waiting list to get into Manitoba Housing but there are not currently any units available that are large enough for the family.
Hudson said she has found a suitable house for rent but doesn’t have the money to secure it.
“We need security deposit and money for the first months rent,” she said.
Hudson has started raising money on Facebook and a GoFundMe page has been set up by a Inez Vystrcil-Spence, who works with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and has been advocating for the family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up called the Wolfgang Hudson Legacy Fund. They hope to raise money to get the Hudson’s into a new home where they can all stay together. (Supplied)
The page is called the Wolfgang Hudson Legacy Fund, named in honour of their son who lost his battle with cancer.
The MKO, Red Cross, Eagle Urban Transition Centre and the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba have helped the family with clothing, shoes and gift cards for groceries and personal items. The only thing the Hudson family is in need of now is a home.
“Just to get a roof over the children’s heads and be able to provide the simplest necessities in life for now,” she said.
“It’s been tough. But I feel blessed and fortunate enough that I have all my children here with me.”