The devastating news just reached me that the home of my old mentor, now 91 year old Oscar winner Børge Ring and his wife Joanika has been completely laid in ashes by fire only some four hours ago! A fire in the chimney ignited the thatched roof of their old farm in the south-east of Holland.
Børge and Joanika are safe and cared for, but they have reportedly lost EVERYTHING. Art, memories, even the Oscar went up in flames. A fund is being set up to help them. Check borgering.com where you can find information on how you can help. In the mean time I wish them all the strength in the world!
[News: Donations can be made through the new fund-raising site!]
Børge is recipient of the Winsor McCay Award at the Annies on Saturday, and throughout this ordeal Børge and Joanika have insisted that their daughter Anne-Mieke not change her plans to receive the award in Børge's name. (The award ceremony will be available to watch on computers as a streaming feed, including on this blog!)
I feel absolutely bad for them that such an event happened! They will have my prayers!
ReplyDeleteEek! Sorry to hear about Borge. Hope things turn out better for him.
ReplyDeleteHow distressisng to hear of Borge's loss. It must be bittersweet to receive the award so soon after something so devastating. Please continue to give us information as you learn it. All my best wishes that things can be somehow righted for Borge. the most important thing is that he and Joanika were not hurt.
ReplyDeleteThis is terrible news. This brings back the memory of Corny Cole's similar experience and the utter devastation of that event. My thoughts got out to them at this time.
ReplyDeleteHeart breaking. I'm so glad that they escaped from the fire with no physical injuries , but this is a heavy loss.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely contribute to the fund via PayPal link on the website. I hope our worldwide animation community will rally to help the Rings.
Terrible news, although it's a relief they are safe. But what a gigantic challenge for them to deal with. My heart goes out to them.
ReplyDeleteI have donated to the fund to help them and encourage everyone who admires and has been touched by this artist's work to do so too. It's the least we can do.