Fans have rallied around The Block 2022‘s Tom Calleja and Sarah-Jane Wilson by starting a GoFundMe page to attempt to recoup the money the couple failed to earn on auction day.
The couple’s five-bedroom, three-bathroom Gisborne renovation only sold for $20,000.99 over the reserve price during the November 6 finale, with Sarah-Jane confessing they now have to sell prizes won in the show’s challenges to replenish their savings account.
Now, one thoughtful viewer has kickstarted the fundraiser to “make the 12 weeks worthwhile” for the young parents.
“Tom and SJ deserve a lot more for the efforts they put into building their house on The Block,” the description read.
“Their positive attitude and willingness to call it as it was made them an instant show favourite.
“Let’s show them what the Aussie spirit can do and help raise funds to make a difference, set their family up and make the 12 weeks worthwhile.”
The goal for the fundraiser is listed as $1,586,670, of which just $25 has been donated since its launch on November 7.
Sarah-Jane Wilson Responds to “Scam” GoFundMe Page
Despite the organiser being listed as “SJ and Tom”, Sarah-Jane took to Instagram on November 7 to confirm they did not start the fundraiser.
“Hey guys… We just found out that someone has set up a GoFundMe page for us,” she said. “That is not Tom and I.
“It’s a scam, Channel Nine are trying to work on getting it taken down. It is definitely not us, do not be sucked in.”
Adding that they’re “grateful for what [they] have”, the mum of one said GoFundMe is not for them.
“It’s to help people that are in really sh*tty situations and that’s just not Tom and I,” she continued. “We’re in a good situation.
“So, not us. Spread the word!”
What The Block Prizes Are Tom and Sarah-Jane Planning to Sell?
Taking to Instagram following the finale, the couple said they’ll “unfortunately” have to sell the $80,000 Ford Ranger they won during Landscape Week.
“We will be walking away with 100K, so no complaints from us,” they added.
Just moments after the shock auction, the parents of one-year-old Cleo told Nine that the result was “disappointing”.
“We spent more than $20,000 of our savings to be here,” Sarah-Jane said of the gruelling 12-week competition.
Even though their auction didn’t go as well as expected, the duo still managed to see the positives in the experience.
“People are a lot worse off than us, so we’re still happy to be alive,” Tom added. “$20,000 is better than nothing.”
The sentiment rang true in their Instagram Story, too.
“Even if we walked away with nothing, we had the experience of a lifetime and something we can tell our grandkids about!” they penned.
“Are we disappointed sure [sic], but nothing is ever guaranteed, and at this point, I think we’ll be fully over it by Tuesday.”
Want even more goss? Listen to episode 228 of the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
