This week the No Tracers family is going to help a worthy urbex cause run by Save The Decay!
Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/asknm-save-the-decay
More info:
The URBEX (Urban Exploring) Community is often times thought to be made up of trespassing, mischievous kids. This is our moment to give back! To show our true colours. To express that our art form is more than just the love of photography and old buildings. That our art form embraces history and is enamoured by the beauty found in natural decay. It is our time to “Save the Decay”.
Let me explain how, but first let me tell you a story.
As many Urban Explorers do, I was spending time researching intriguing, historic buildings. I found a location with an incredible history. I looked into the owners past and present. I researched the location, town, taxes, builder and current status. This location has not been seen by many and is truly a historic gem! I had a respectable, trustworthy explorer and dear friend drive by to check it out. After they did so, this is what I was told. (PLEASE KNOW I WILL BE KEEPING THE LOCATION PRIVATE).
The property has a wonderful, colourful past. One that you could say is straight out of a movie! The property was built for a large successful family, who then sold it to a Church. The Church made use of it and at one point it housed refugees. Some years back the Church pulled out of the building, as it was costing too much to maintain, and one single occupant remained. A Monk. This Monk remained as caretaker of the grounds and has been doing so for 20 plus years. The property has been for sale for some time, but all potential buyers have fallen through. As the years have gone on, the property needed repairs that the Church refused to make. Repairs that affect the Monk’s living conditions. There is currently no heat and no running water, but he still remains inside taking care of the property the best he can with no pay. His is a true love story with the building holding real meaning to him. The neighbors have stepped in with some aid, but it’s minimal. However, everyday, without fail, the Monk holds a church service within the chapel for them. When they do not attend, he has service anyway, always praying for aid, money, and support to keep the building standing and to keep food on his table. He has endlessly put his time and heart into the property growing his own food, caretaking the grounds and even attempting to hold some of the historic aspects of the property safe, clean and maintained. This is his home. His only home, as he can no longer return to his roots in Europe. He has aged in this home, and grown with it in spirit.
Our hope is that we can raise enough funds to hire a plumber to, at minimum, restore water to a single washroom/shower, so the monk has a place to properly bathe. This may be in the way of a portable water system as we will be checking water supply/shut off by the city. He has been living in solitude and simplicity and is not open to cash donations. However, he welcomes the help of a plumber, so he can stay on the grounds and still continue to take care of them. No one knows how long he will be able to stay. However making life a little easier for someone that shares our passion is a must!
All this being said, we want the Urbex Community to come together and "SAVE THE DECAY". We want to give this kind and gentle soul the ability to maintain his stay in comfort.
We will be running a feature Photography competition on our @Savethedecay Instagram page. We will be raising funds specifically for this cause. We are using Go Fund Me, so followers and supporters can see exactly what is raised.
