A 90-year-old great-grandmother, Bernice Miller, has received significant community support after losing both her savings and a vital spiral staircase to a dishonest painter. Following the recent passing of her husband after 27 years together, Bernice had hoped a fresh coat of paint would improve her Sydney home. However, the painter, Leon Leonidas Tsounakis, abandoned the project and failed to fulfil a court order to compensate her, leaving Bernice alarmed about her emergency exits.
In a distressing turn, Bernice expressed her worries: "If there’s a fire, it would be goodnight," referring to the lack of escape routes from the upper level of her home. After reaching out for help on the program A Current Affair, the community’s empathy was evident, leading to a generous offer from Final Touch Building, who stepped in to construct a new staircase for her residence.
When the workers arrived to surprise her, Bernice was overcome with emotion, exclaiming, “I don’t know what to say, you’re amazing – thank you,” as she embraced them. This gesture brought added joy as it coincided with the week of her 91st birthday, ensuring she could continue living safely and happily in her home. Pierre Lykourezos from Final Touch Building emphasised that her well-being was their priority.
Moreover, in a further uplifting development, Bernice reported that Tsounakis had commenced repayments, providing her with a sense of justice and relief. The local community’s involvement in her plight has highlighted the importance of collective support, particularly for vulnerable individuals facing exploitation.