You have been AMAZING, this fund is now closing

Dear friends have tragically lost their home, their two cats, and all of their belongings to a devastating fire in the early hours of the morning. They only just managed to escape themselves - the photo above is literally as they stepped into the street. It happens THAT fast.
It took 8 fire engines and around 60 firefighters  working tirelessly for the rest of the night to finally put out the fire.
Everything is destroyed. Everything is gone.


Due to a recent bereavement, the insurance had fallen into an admin overload and expired! Can you imagine the additional horror of that discovery?

They have no home. They have no belongings. Their clothes are borrowed. Their toiletries are donated.
They have no income. The father is a freelance photographer and has lost  his cameras, equipment and portfolios in the fire. All of his means of earning an income.

Please let’s help them rebuild their lives.

Right now they need money for:
Rent and bills.
Travel and groceries.
The father’s photography equipment so he can work again.
 
They need to replace:
Clothes and shoes.
Beds and furniture.
Kitchenware.
School books, workbooks and stationery.
 
Further immediate funds are needed for –
Scaffolding to secure and cover the house.
Specialists to safely clear and salvage the structure of the house.

Further down the line they're looking at having to fund:
An architect and builders to work on the rebuild plans.
Build costs
Fixtures and fittings.

The lessons for us all:

Check your house insurance is as in place as you think it is.
Ensure your smoke alarms are in working order - they were saved by a working alarm.
Have fire extinguishers by the staircases and exits
Ensure your family have a fire drill so they know what to do and where to go in the event of a fire
Keep valuables and passports in a metal tin to protect them. 

Whilst struggling with the new reality of their lives the family want something positive to come from their tragedy and already thinking of setting up a trust named in memory of their cat Willow. Such a trust would be able to provide immediate practical and financial support to people who have also had their lives destroyed by fire. For example, their car survived but the keys were destroyed so they can't drive it just now- so much to think about.

But for right now the family need all the help they can get. Any amount donated will make such a difference and I know will be so appreciated.

Thank you so much.