Help Rebuild Lives After the Gosforth Fire

On August 15th, 2024, a devastating fire swept through two properties in Gosforth, Cumbria, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Homes have been gutted, cherished possessions have been lost, and the heart of our community—the local shop that has served generations—has been gutted

We are coming together to raise funds for two families who have been deeply affected: Michelle and David, as well as Peter and Marieke. These families have not only lost their homes but they have been uprooted, and amidst the chaos, pets have gone missing, and irreplaceable memories have been destroyed.

While donations of clothing and goods are being accepted at St Mary's Church in Gosforth, financial support is desperately needed to help these families rebuild their lives from the ground up. Your generous donations will go directly towards helping Michelle, David, Peter, and Marieke as they face the enormous task of rebuilding their lives.

In times like these, our community’s strength lies in our unity and willingness to help one another. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. Let’s stand together and support those who have lost so much.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

-- UPDATE 18th August --

It's been over three days since the fire that devastated our community here in Gosforth, claiming the homes of two families and destroying our beloved local shop, a cornerstone that has served generations. The acrid smell of smoke still lingers in the air, hundreds of yards away—a constant reminder of the tragedy that has touched us all.

Tragically, two beloved family pets were lost as a result of the fire on Thursday morning. Maurice, the charming ginger cat that so many locals and tourists adored, and Alfie, the parrot who brought joy with his noisy antics and was a minor local celebrity, both perished. Their loss is felt deeply by everyone who knew them, but most importantly the Ancell family who have been left with two fewer family members.

While there's much to mourn, there's also so much to celebrate in the midst of this heartache. The incredible outpouring of support from our community and beyond has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The JustGiving page for the fire on Thursday has now received nearly 570 donations from people all over the world. Locals, former residents, those with family ties to Gosforth, tourists who have visited, and even those with no direct connection have all contributed to this cause. The current total stands at an astounding £16,707—far surpassing our initial target.

Local collection points for clothing and other essentials have been overwhelmed with donations. The generosity has been so overwhelming that they've kindly asked for a pause in further contributions until the families can retrieve what they need.

Monetary collections have also been made across the area, including at stalls during the Gosforth Show on Saturday.

To say I’m privileged to be part of this community would be an understatement. I feel immense pride in what I’ve witnessed over these past three days—the unity, the compassion, and the strength of our community.

In 11 days, the funds from this JustGiving page will be available for transfer. At that time, the money will be evenly distributed between the two families, to help them begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives. Let’s aim even higher and see if we can reach £20,000 before those 11 days are up.

Finally, I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has donated, offered support, or lent a helping hand in any way over these last three days. Your kindness is making a real difference.