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'Cash strapped' trainee teacher asks public to crowdfund $1m home to keep him off streets

A cash-strapped trainee teacher has asked the public to help him buy a $1 million home to keep him off the streets – but the only donation is $5 from his MUM.

University student James Kidd, 19, is feeling the extent of Sydney’s extortionate housing prices and has made a desperate online plea to raise $1,000,000 so he won’t become homeless.

The teenager, who works 50 hours a week to fund his degree, set up an online campaign asking for help in February but so far has only had one donation from mum Therese, 47.

James currently lives in a townhouse on the Western Sydney University campus and said he is struggling to save for his own home while paying rent and other living expenses.

Jamie and his mum, Therese, so far she is only one to make a donation to his campaign. Photo: Caters News Agency
Jamie and his mum, Therese, so far she is only one to make a donation to his campaign. Photo: Caters News Agency

The 19-year-old said: “I’m trying to save up for my own house but at the rate I’m going it’ll take me ten years to even put a down payment on.

“The only donation I’ve had so far was $5 from ‘anonymous’ but when I clicked on it, it was from my mum.

“Housing prices in my area of Western Sydney are going up. I spend as little as possible.

“I wouldn’t want a mansion or anything, just a normal house. If I couldn’t afford rent right now I’d probably be homeless.”

James currently lives in a small townhouse with four other roommates but hopes to be able to afford a place of his own one day.

The student has seven siblings and said his family faced financial hardship after his father passed away when he was only 14.

Now the teenager works 100 hours a fortnight at a waterpark just to ensure he has enough money to pay his $170-a-week rent.

The Go Fund Me page. Photo: Caters News Agency
The Go Fund Me page. Photo: Caters News Agency

James said: “My bedroom is small, it has my bed and desk but not much room to walk around or for anything else to be put in it.

“I’m hoping to be able to stay at university until I can afford my own place, I don’t mind living with roommates although living alone would be better.

“My dream is to travel the world and live my life worry free rather than stressing about repayments on a house, if I could buy a house without owing any money that would be amazing.

“I work full time, around 100 hours a fortnight, when I’m not at university and if I could find another job as well I’d work just as much.

“I would say don’t waste money on things you don’t need and ask yourself if you actually need it.

“If you need to choose between your rent and your car choose the car because your apartment can’t drive you to work.

“It’s always good to have money saved up for a rainy day, you never know when you might need it.”

His mum, pictured with her partner, is the only person to make a donation to his cause for now. Photo: Caters News Agency
His mum, pictured with her partner, is the only person to make a donation to his cause for now. Photo: Caters News Agency

James is urging other teens to start saving up for their own home now as they may face challenges in the future.

James said: “I work full time, around 100 hours a fortnight, when I’m not at university and if I could find another job as well I’d work just as much.

“I would say don’t waste money on things you don’t need and ask yourself if you actually need it.

“If you need to choose between your rent and your car choose the car because your apartment can’t drive you to work.

“It’s always good to have money saved up for a rainy day, you never know when you might need it.

“Growing up my mum had to be a father figure for me and I had a lot of conversations with her that I would have had with my dad if he was still here.

“She was a full-time carer for my grandmother, so she couldn’t work, we didn’t have much.

“My mum and stepdad wouldn’t buy new clothes for themselves and sometimes go without dinner to make sure we had new clothes and food.

“My plate would always be full where my mums wouldn’t have much on it, they made a lot of sacrifices for us.

“It was hard to get over the grief of losing my dad because it was so unexpected. My grandfather also passed away 20 days after my dad did, it was a difficult time for my family.”

Those interested in making a donation can do so here.