A family of five has been left with nothing after a devastating flat fire destroyed their belongings and left them needing emergency support.
Craig Duncan, lettings manager for Cross Keys Estates in Stoke Village, Plymouth, has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help tenants Shade, Mo, their ten-year-old son and two daughters, aged eight and four.
Craig said the fire happened on Thursday, May 28, and was “of no fault of their own”, adding that “all certification was in place”.
He wrote: “These people are our tenants and all of the staff and directors at CK feel that this is something that needs to be done to help and assist some genuinely lovely people.”
Plymouth City Council’s emergency housing department and Cross Keys Estates found the family a temporary home for six weeks, while the council also delivered basic furniture within an hour so they could move in.
Craig wrote: “I have to say, PCC have their critics but they were nothing short of FANTASTIC. Plymouth Community Homes helped enormously on the night to give the family a place to sleep too.”
The fundraiser hopes to raise between £1,500 and £2,000 for basic items including clothes, kitchen utensils and bedding.
Craig said the money “will not be used for anything over and above basic things”.
He added that the family had already been going through a difficult time, as their ten-year-old son has been in Derriford Hospital for a couple of months.
Craig wrote: “This has been a stressful time in itself but the fire has taken them to absolute breaking point.
“I met Shade yesterday and she was sad, bewildered and afraid for what is to come. I do believe their son is on the mend.”
He said he hoped people would “give a little” to help the family.
Craig added: “If it exceeds the target then a decision will have to be made as to whether the family have it or it is donated to a Plymouth charity involving homelessness or victims of a fire.
“If I am honest, I have not done this before so am a bit green but let’s hope we can help some fellow Plymothians in their hour of need.”
