The 23-year-old nurse, who lives about 50 minutes out of Launceston, was overwhelmed by emotion when her Launceston General Hospital team surprised her with a new car on Sunday.

Another nurse had taken her out for a coffee and then detoured to the house where the car was, with colleagues surprising Miss Bonner.

"You've changed my whole life," she said. "I thought [on Saturday] that my whole world had come crashing down, but you've all fixed it."

Alice Holloway, who started a Facebook messenger group with her ward when she heard about Miss Bonner's car, said everyone who worked on the ward had contributed.

"She was obviously very upset. She is someone who gives a lot to her job. She works part-time with us, but also studies to be a midwife which you don't get paid for," Mrs Holloway said.

"So she is doing her best just to get by."

Mrs Holloway understood how much of a setback not having a car would be.

"I saw it and felt very upset for her and sent her a message to offer her our spare car. She was very reserved," she said.

"But then I thought if anyone within our workplace, there is about 70 of us, was able to contribute something then we would be able to pull together and get her a little runabout car until she is in a better position herself."

The ward was able to raise enough money to buy a car, fuel cards and pay for her insurance.

Miss Bonner's car was insured, but not against theft.

The Examiner