Almost 80 people came forward yesterday to offer help to the mother and child who have been forced to live in a car after losing their apartment.

And another family living in a car - whose plight was first reported in two weeks ago - were yesterday offered a one-bedroom apartment through The Coalition for Children.

The woman said of the news of the apartment: “I thank everyone who helped us get this place and I want to thank the other woman for sticking up for me, because she is right and everyone doesn't come from a close knit family.

“I am so excited, it's a cute little place and the bedroom is a nice size. The only thing we need now is two single beds, but we are OK now. We finally have somewhere to live. Thank you.”

And yesterday's story about the second family forced to live in their car for several months sparked an extraordinary response.

Calls and e-mails to began at 7 a.m. and continued until 11 p.m.

People offered a first month's rent, a place to bathe, somewhere for the woman's 16-year-old son to to do his homework, a laptop computer, clothing, food, cash, furniture, temporary accommodation and a Christmas tree.

The only thing that was not yet offered was an apartment for the family.

The divorced mother and child have been living in their car for months after losing their apartment due to lack of funds - in spite of the fact the mother has two jobs the son packs groceries.

Last night, the woman was overjoyed at the response and was hoping that she and her 16-year-old son could find an apartment soon.

“I didn't expect that anyone would respond,” she said. “It makes me wish that I had told people before, rather than being proud and keeping it all to myself. It makes sense to let people know.”

The comments from people who read yesterday's story ranged from: “I can't believe that this is happening in Bermuda - an Island that is as wealthy as this,” to, “What can I do? I can't offer a place for her to live, but I can give this to them.”

Most of the people who called in did not want to know who the family were and did not wish to be identified.

One man offered an apartment which is currently being renovated as a temporary measure.

Another man who found $50 while walking along Church Street yesterday brought the money to offices.

He said: “It's not mine, so I am putting an extra $50 with it.”

One Pembroke woman said: “I can pay her first month's rent. More people would help, if they knew who needed help.”

A Harrington Sound School teacher said she read the article to her class and the children decided to bring in nonperishable food stuff.

Another man who runs a wood restoration company offered Bill not only somewhere to come and study, but also asked if he was interested an apprenticeship.

Several people invited them over for Christmas.

A man from a computer company offered Bill a laptop computer.

He said: “We thought another child needed a computer and when we got there we he had one. He can have it as soon as they have a place to live.”

A woman who runs a St. George's guest house offered them temporary accommodation over the holidays.

One woman, who was recently knocked down by an impaired driver and her husband, is in a wheelchair, said: “I decided to put my money where my mouth is and offer some groceries or clothes.

“And I can cook for them - I'll make some peas and rice and chicken.”

The woman said she sympathised with the homeless woman and added: “I went to Financial Assistance because my husband is now in a wheelchair and he is not able to work anymore, but they took one look at my cheque and said, no.

“Everything has to come out of my one salary and it's not easy.”

Another woman, whose children are in care, said that she understood and had been in the exact situation, but she put her children in homes until she could get herself sorted out, but now she cannot get her children back.

“I wish that I would have kept my children with me too, because now that my life is settled, I cannot get my children out of the homes,” she said.

Many people have offered cash to the family, so that they can purchase what they need.

A priest from a Hamilton church telephoned in to offer assistance in any way he could and another man said he was going to go to his bible study meeting and would see what they could do to help her.

The Smile Foundation offered them Christmas lunch and activities at the Bermuda Industrial Union.

A charity worker said that she was going to see what they could do in as far as assisting the family.

A Police officer called in and said she could offer tinned food and a woman, who lives alone, invited the family to come and stay over the holidays.