My retired friend David and his narrowboat fire.
Donation protected
In the early hours of the morning on the 27th Feb this year, David had a fire on his narrowboat 'Buteo'.
David is an ex professional, retired gentleman of 75 years of age; an avid rail enthusiast and collector of model trains and steam engines. David has a pre existing heart condition, a compromised immune system and unfortunately, no family to help. He is a liveaboard of many years, has cruised the network extensively and is a true gentleman.
He was mercifully woken by a popping noise and managed to get off the boat safely but by 3.30 that morning he was effectively homeless.
Thanks to the quick response of his friends and neighbours at the Saltisford Canal Trust, the fire was extinguished and David was clothed and kept warm and safe until the emergency services arrived and he was transported to hospital.
Insurance is a wonderful thing! The insurance assessor made good his promise to expedite the release of funds to repair the boat and the trustees at Saltisford have kindly made provision for David's boat stay on site pending repair. Unfortunately, Davids personal belongings, clothing, bedding, food etc. were not covered by the policy. All were lost to the fire or smoke.
David has been housed in bed and breakfast accommodation by the local authority on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, bureaucracy dictates that this is only an interim measure. The accommodation now offered is an empty room with no bed, up six flights of stairs with a bathroom shared by many other residents.The council offer is clearly unacceptable for a man who asks for nothing and is not in the best of health. The likelihood that all people over the age of 70 will have to self isolate in the coming days makes the situation all the more complicated.
His friends and I are hoping that we can raise around £1500 to make sure Davids temporary accommodation and personal effects needs, are met sensibly and compassionately, until he can return to his home in a few weeks time, with new clothing, his wonderful collections cleaned and food in a new fridge.
If you feel able to help David, your support would be much appreciated.
My name is Simon Brittain and I'm honoured to be project managing Buteo's restoration on David's behalf.
David is an ex professional, retired gentleman of 75 years of age; an avid rail enthusiast and collector of model trains and steam engines. David has a pre existing heart condition, a compromised immune system and unfortunately, no family to help. He is a liveaboard of many years, has cruised the network extensively and is a true gentleman.
He was mercifully woken by a popping noise and managed to get off the boat safely but by 3.30 that morning he was effectively homeless.
Thanks to the quick response of his friends and neighbours at the Saltisford Canal Trust, the fire was extinguished and David was clothed and kept warm and safe until the emergency services arrived and he was transported to hospital.
Insurance is a wonderful thing! The insurance assessor made good his promise to expedite the release of funds to repair the boat and the trustees at Saltisford have kindly made provision for David's boat stay on site pending repair. Unfortunately, Davids personal belongings, clothing, bedding, food etc. were not covered by the policy. All were lost to the fire or smoke.
David has been housed in bed and breakfast accommodation by the local authority on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, bureaucracy dictates that this is only an interim measure. The accommodation now offered is an empty room with no bed, up six flights of stairs with a bathroom shared by many other residents.The council offer is clearly unacceptable for a man who asks for nothing and is not in the best of health. The likelihood that all people over the age of 70 will have to self isolate in the coming days makes the situation all the more complicated.
His friends and I are hoping that we can raise around £1500 to make sure Davids temporary accommodation and personal effects needs, are met sensibly and compassionately, until he can return to his home in a few weeks time, with new clothing, his wonderful collections cleaned and food in a new fridge.
If you feel able to help David, your support would be much appreciated.
My name is Simon Brittain and I'm honoured to be project managing Buteo's restoration on David's behalf.
Organizer
Simon Brittain
Organizer
