THE goodwill and generosity of a Mildura resident has filled a pair of Italian backpackers with profound gratitude.

Filippo Nozza, 24, and Andreas Torresani, 23, were forced to camp on the banks of the Murray River for three weeks after losing their jobs to the COVID-19 pandemic's tough restrictions and lockdowns.

As the nights became cooler, the pair became desperate for help and decided to put...