A victim of Australia’s devastating floods has been brought to tears after he was  given a car by a kind-hearted schoolboy. 

Dylan Simpson’s rental home and car were destroyed when floods inundated Chinderah near Tweed Heads in NSW‘s far north in February. 

Mr Simpson has since crashed on friends’ couches and used a bike to travel to work at a bowling club in Kingscliff.

He now has another mode of transport, thanks to a heartwarming gesture from a NSW south coast teen whom he’d never met and lives 950 kilometres away.

HSC student Harry Ledger, 17, travelled north to the Queensland border on Sunday to present his car to a shocked and emotional Mr Simpson at his workplace.

Harry Ledger handed over the keys to his car to flood victim Dylan Simpson (right) on Sunday

Harry Ledger handed over the keys to his car to flood victim Dylan Simpson (right) on Sunday

Harry Ledger handed over the keys to his car to flood victim Dylan Simpson (right) on Sunday

The self-proclaimed ‘refugee’ broke down in tears in joy when Harry handed over the keys.  

The surprise presentation was facilitated by local mum-of-four Natasha Shearer, who has spent the last two months assisting with flood recovery efforts in devastated regions across northern NSW, including Lismore, Ballina and Woodburn. 

‘Two days on, Dylan is still overcome with emotion,’ she told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘It was an amazing feeling to organise it after everything he’s been through and show that he hasn’t been forgotten.’

‘I have an endless list of victims who need help but Dylan’s story stuck out and knew he was the right person to give the car to.’

‘To some this may seem like a small thing but to Dylan, it is the biggest blessing and he is forever grateful.’

Ms Shearer is long-time friend of Harry’s father Dale, who previously lived in northern NSW.

Dylan Simpson (pictured being comforted by a local resident) was overcome with emotion at the surprise presentation at his workplace on Sunday

Dylan Simpson (pictured being comforted by a local resident) was overcome with emotion at the surprise presentation at his workplace on Sunday

Dylan Simpson (pictured being comforted by a local resident) was overcome with emotion at the surprise presentation at his workplace on Sunday

Harry, his parents and sister Mary recently travelled to the flood devastated region from Kiama on the state’s south coast. They spent several days clearing up debris from streets and damaged homes.

The Ledgers also donated $3,000 in cash and items.

Seeing the widespread destruction inspired Harry wanted to do more and decided to donate his second-hand Nissan to a flood victim who needed the car more than him.

Harry spent two years saving up for the car bought four months ago.

‘It was a huge deal and such a kind gesture from a 17-year-old,’ Ms Shearer said.

Harry told the ABC: ‘When we’d heard and saw everything that was happening up there we decided one weekend we would go up there and help out.’

The surprise presentation was organised by Natasha Shearer, who's coordinating flood recovery efforts across northern NSW. She's pictured with Harry and the donated car

The surprise presentation was organised by Natasha Shearer, who's coordinating flood recovery efforts across northern NSW. She's pictured with Harry and the donated car

The surprise presentation was organised by Natasha Shearer, who’s coordinating flood recovery efforts across northern NSW. She’s pictured with Harry and the donated car

Hundreds of displaced flood victims remain still stranded in evacuation centres, unable to return to their homes deemed inhabitable.

Of the 25,000 properties in Woodburn, just six were unscathed by the floods.   

Ms Shearer has set up the Rebuilding NR 2022 Connecting and Supporting the Flooded Affected Facebook page for kind-hearted Australians to help displaced victims and with the mammoth recovery effort. 

The current focus is finding teams of tradespeople to volunteer their time to fix up damaged homes.

Others who want to pledge their support should donate Visa cards which will be spent on whitegoods and furniture to help victims get back on their feet.  

‘The recovery effort is going to take months, if not years before everything returns to normal,’ Ms Shearer told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I’ve lived through many floods in Lismore but nothing like this.’ 

Those who want to help can email [email protected].

Kiama student Harry spent two years saving up to buy his first car (pictured) which has since been donated to a flood victim

Kiama student Harry spent two years saving up to buy his first car (pictured) which has since been donated to a flood victim

Kiama student Harry spent two years saving up to buy his first car (pictured) which has since been donated to a flood victim

Source: Daily Mail

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