Londoners and celebs offer food, clothes and cash to Grenfell Tower survivors – as families bed down in emergency shelters after losing their home to the blaze
GENEROUS strangers together with celebs and singers have rallied to support survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire with donations after losing their homes.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has offered free meals at his restaurant close by in Westfield, while others collected food cloths and cash for desperate residents.
Churches, mosques, Sikh gurdwaras and community centres were so overwhelmed with offers of help for the victims.
People were seen unloading suitcases full of trainers, clothes and bedding as well as nappies and toiletries at a string of makeshift refuge centres.
Local resident Shanice Alma, 27, said: “We are devastated by what happened and want to help in any way we can.
“I’m so proud of the community coming together to help in this time of need.
“It really is the Blitz spirit. We’re all in this together.”
Twelve people have died - with the death toll expected to rise - after a massive fire ripped through the west London tower block in the early hours of this morning.
Kind members of the public, local groups, celebrities and football clubs have expressed their shock and offered to help people impacted by the devastating blaze in any way they can.
Families screamed for help as they leaned out windows, while others leapt out to escape the flames.
Firefighters are still bravely battling the blaze, which witnesses say may have been started by a fridge exploding.
Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson urged members of the public to donate clothes on Facebook: "Everything that was clean in my wardrobe has been donated.
"Please try and do the same thing."
Crowdfunders have been started to support the victims, with one having already raised £29,000.
As missing residents' family launch desperate social media appeals, well-wishers have rushed to help families caught up in the catastrophe, while a social club owner turned his building into a hub for fleeing residents within an hour of the blaze starting.
Chef Jamie Oliver told his Instagram followers: "You are all welcome to come hang out in my restaurant and be fed and watered by my Jamie's Italian team.
"Food and drink free of charge so just go and speak to my manager Juan and we will sort you out and give you some love .... this is for victims of the fire our thoughts, love and prayers are with you all big love Jamie x x x x."
There is also a rest centre at Harrow Centre, Freston Road, while nearby St Clements Church was collecting clothes, food and water for those affected - many of whom had been forced to escape the building in their night clothes.
Matt Wreck, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, told Sky News he had never seen a fire like this in a tower block during his service.
He added: "It is absolutely appalling.
"It should not be possible for a fire to develop in this way."
The chairman of Queens Park Rangers said he was trying to use Shepherd's Bush stadium, Loftus Road, as a centre.
Tony Fernandes tweeted: "Our community team will be mobilised. We will do whatever."
A youth and children's charity based near the block of flats has also stepped in and offered help.
The Rugby Portobello Trust said they are "with many of the residents" and have asked people to "hold off on dropping anything to RPT until we can put together a list of what is needed".
The Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson took to Twitter to urge those living nearby to help Grenfell Tower residents.
He wrote: "People of Kensington. Remember to give what you can spare - clothes etc - to those made homeless by that terrible fire."
Welsh singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews, an eyewitness to the blaze, wrote: "My hopes and prayers are now also focusing on those fire fighters still trying to clear the upper floors. #grenfellfire."
READ MORE ABOUT LONDON FIRE
While former England rugby player Will Greenwood urged the public to send emergency provisions to the trust, at 221 Walmer Road, London, W11 4EY.
The group also set up a Facebook event, urging people able to offer space in their homes to come forward.
The British Red Cross said its volunteers were also at the scene, with volunteers providing practical help and emotional support at a rest centre.
A has been set up in bid to raise £1million to help the families of Grenfell Tower.
Meanwhile, a number of individuals have reached out via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help to those affected.
One woman, named Giselle, tweeted: "Just called [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea] @RBKC and left my details. They are looking for emergency housing. I have offered my place. Do the same if you can #Grenfell"
Instagram user co._lams posted an image reading: "Any residents of Grenfell Tower or Lancaster West Estate who need a local place to stay DM me."
Many others posted on the Rugby Portobello Trust event with contact details for accommodation.
Phone company EE have said people are welcome to use their stores in the local area if they need to contact anyone or use social media.
They said the stores on Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, Queensway and the two in White City are closest to the incident.
What we know so far:
- The Metropolitan Police have confirmed 12 people are dead but the death toll is expected to rise after a huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in West London just before 1am on Wednesday night
- The 24-storey high tower block has 120 apartments
- Around 74 people have been taken to six hospitals in the capital, with 18 in a critical condition, while dozens of others are missing and feared dead
- The Prime Minister launched an urgent investigation into the disaster
- Authorities say the cause of the fire is still not known — with some suggesting it was sparked by a fridge fire
- Experts warned the blaze was spread by cladding panels which are fitted to countless buildings across Britain
- Residents were seen jumping from upper floors in scenes reminiscent of September 11
- Horrified witnesses told of babies being thrown from windows by desperate mothers
- It was revealed the block had only recently undergone a £10million refurb but still had no sprinkler system installed
- Designers insisted the refurbishment work complied with building regulations
- Residents raised safety concerns four years ago, but were ignored
- A former housing minister was blasted for postponing a government review into tower block safety
- Celebrities and ordinary Londoners have united to provide food, clothes, money and shelter for survivors
Social club owner Joe Walsh, 58, threw open the doors of his Maxilla club shortly before 2am when the scale of the disaster became apparent.
Inside, those who lived nearby huddled around a TV in the bar on Wednesday morning, anxiously asking after friends they had yet to hear from.
He said: "I got the call just before two o'clock and opened the club straight away.
"My reaction was to just open up for people to have tea and coffee - there are hundreds of flats here and people with nowhere to go."
Before long, displaced families began flocking to the bar, situated below a flyover on the A40.
Stocks and supplies soon followed, with supermarket Tesco promising to bring blankets and towels, along with other items.
By morning, tables were overflowing with bottles of water, food, sweets and clothing.
"We have had people coming in and out, now people have started bringing clothes.
"We have had people here in just their pyjamas and their dressing gowns."
Rest centres available:
- Rugby Portbello Trust
221 Walmer Road,
W11 4EY - St Clement's Church
95 Sirdar Road
W11 4EQ - Tabernacle Christian Centre
Jubilee House
210 Latimer Road
W10 6QY
Anyone concerned for loved ones in the blaze can contact the Met Police casualty bureau on 0800 0961 233