Sometimes a yard cleanup turns into something much bigger.

Spencer, the creator behind the SB Mowing YouTube channel, has helped spark support for Debbie, a widow who had fallen months behind on rent, lost money to a dishonest contractor and at times went without food. What started with clearing her overgrown property has now led to more than $650,000 being raised to help her rebuild her life.

Debbie’s struggles began when her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and given about 90 days to live. She cared for him full time until he died.

After his death, Spencer said Debbie’s own health started declining while she was still coping with the loss of her husband. At the same time, she faced mounting financial pressure. A contractor took a $2,000 deposit for tree work and never came back. A neighbour wrecked her car and did not pay for the damage. She fell three months behind on rent and put off medical and dental care because she could not afford it. Spencer said there were also days when Debbie and her dogs went without food.

“Debbie has had one of the hardest stretches of life imaginable, and she’s been carrying most of it alone,” Spencer wrote.

The situation came to light after an Uber driver named Zach helped Debbie carry groceries to her back door, noticed she was struggling and contacted SB Mowing.

When Spencer arrived, he found a property so overgrown that weeds and grass rose overhead in some areas. He said the yard was in such poor condition he did not realise an air conditioning unit was hidden beneath the vegetation.

Spencer and his father spent two full days clearing years of overgrowth, hauling away multiple trailer loads of debris and restoring the yard.

They also bought all the items Debbie had collected for a yard sale and donated them to Habitat for Humanity, allowing her to receive money without having to run the sale herself. Through SB Mow It Forward, they paid her three months of overdue rent.

A fundraiser was later launched to help cover Debbie’s medical expenses, dental care, everyday necessities and eventually help with a move to a senior living community when she is ready.

The funds are being placed into a trust with Debbie as the sole beneficiary.