Selling up and giving it all away

Busselton bargain hunters have the chance to help a Collie pensioner who has decided to give it all up to help poor villages in southern Africa.

Justin Thorne is selling all his worldly possessions at the Sunday markets to fund a long-term charity mission to Botswana.

Motivated by the plight of some of the world’s poorest people, the handyman, who grew up in Africa, said he felt compelled to help.

“It is their hurt and daily suffering that drives me on,” Mr Thorne said.

“I grew up with these Africans … they were my childhood playmates and they are human beings with a very warm heart.

“I know I can help in bush villages.”

During the past eight months, Mr Thorne has been selling his belongings at markets in Mandurah, Harvey, Waroona, Bunbury, Collie and now Busselton.

So far he has amassed $12,000 and has even resorted to fasting for up to three weeks at a time to save more.

“It really hurts parting with items linking me with my seven grandchildren, but that’s life,” he said.

Mr Thorne said he aimed to relocate to Botswana for 10 years “to start with”, to a village without running water or electricity.

He said he hoped his skills as a handyman would come in useful for building and fixing facilities like composting toilets and water bores.

Justin Thorne with items from his life he is selling for charity.