GoFundMe is raising nearly £3,500 for Woodingdean fire victims
A family whose home was badly damaged in a “terrific” fire have received thousands of pounds in donations after a community got together to help them.
Sarah Leverett and her husband Simon arrived at their home in Woodingdean on Thursday afternoon to find the property ablaze.
Their pets, including cats and dogs, died in the fire.
The family were too upset to speak, but Sarah wrote on Facebook: “We are still processing what happened and are in total shock. We lost our beloved pets in the fire.”
Neighbors quickly rallied to help them, offering food, clothing and money to help them get back on their feet. Flowers were placed outside the gutted lot.
Shannon Boarer, who lives in Netherfield Green, where the fire happened, said: “It’s so devastating, it’s appalling. You just can’t believe something like this could have happened, so we wanted to do something that might help or raise awareness.
“We set up GoFundMe to support the family. As a community, I am amazed at what everyone has done.”
The fundraiser raised £3,795 of its £5,000 target in less than 24 hours.
Louise said: “I put the £5,000 as an approximate figure and to see so much being raised in such a short time is absolutely amazing. Seeing that pull through warms your heart.
“The family is so grateful, they are so overwhelmed.”
Louise was picking up her children from school at the time of the fire and another parent told her there was a fire at Netherfield Green.
She said: “I didn’t know which house. When I came back there were people, fire engines, cops, everything. They didn’t know what was going on.
“My thoughts are only with her family.
“Everyone tried so hard to help. There are people who work tirelessly to raise funds.
“You should be amazed at yourself. We don’t accept recognition or praise, that’s not what matters to us at all.”
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services were called to the property at 3.10pm on Thursday.
A spokeswoman for the service said: “Everyone living in the house has been apprehended and there are no reports of anyone injured. The exact cause of the fire has not been confirmed at this time but it is being treated as an accident.”
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23233656.gofundme-raises-almost-3-500-woodingdean-fire-victims/?ref=rss GoFundMe is raising nearly £3,500 for Woodingdean fire victims
