Charity night to help fire-hit Nuneaton family

[dutchman]

An 'incredible' groundswell of support has flooded in for a family whose lives have been devastated after their home was ruined by a fire.



In just a matter of days, hundreds of pounds have been donated as well as everything from beds to fridges, clothes and toiletries for Curtis Lashley, Natalie and their four children, who were left with just the clothes on their backs as they fled their house in Cedar Road.

They have been overwhelmed by the response of their hometown and yet more support is to be heaped on the family, thanks to the football team that Levi, one of the children, plays for.

Shocked when he heard about the fire on Monday morning, Paul Genner, Hartshill Sports Hawks manager, quickly rallied around and within 24 hours, he had organised a charity night – which will take place at Hartshill Sports Club tomorrow night (Friday, September 16).

"I got involved quite rapidly really, I didn't find out until about 7.30am that morning, Levi plays for my football team and I just couldn't believe what has happened to them," he said.

"I put a plea out on Facebook, knowing Nat and Curt over the last couple of months through the football team, we have become something of a little family, and I asked my friends and family if they could do anything to help to them – next thing I know it just blew up like a big air balloon, I couldn't believe it."

Next came a phone call that he did not expect.

"From there, the secretary of the Hartshill Sports Club, Chico, said that the club had a function room and waned to provide it and a disco for free, which was brilliant," he said.

"The more money we can raise now, the better, then they (the family ) will be able to know what they can do and buy over the next few weeks as they literally had the clothes on their backs."

With a free room and disco, Mr Genner set about organising a raffle for the event and was once again stunned with the response.

"People have inundated me with everything from meals to chocolates to wine, people have been just brilliant," he said. "Adam Green, one of my friends, has a selfie photobooth and he said that he will provide it for free and all of the money raised from the photographs can be donated to the family."

The event will run from 7pm tomorrow night and all are welcome.

"Anyone can come along, even if they don't stay all night, even if they just come along and make a donation as we will have buckets out in the room," the football team manager said.

Out of the devastation of the fire, which is still being investigated, has risen a community spirit that has made Mr Genner proud.

"It is a shame that it is something so devastating that has pulled us all together but when something like this happens, it's really amazing to see the amount of people that will do things for you," he said.

"Nat and Curt can't believe it, every time I see them they just can't believe how kind people have been."

Support has not just been shown for the charity night, it extends much further than that.

"Nat told me that the first words Levi said after the fire was 'Mum, what about my football kit? Paul is going to go mad'. I said to him 'Don't worry mate' and I have managed to sort him a new kit and Canon Sports have been brilliant and they are going to donate him a new pair of boots and a football, which is just so kind."

Support from the under 9s team family has been particularly heart-warming according to Mr Genner, who said: " We have only been running for three months and the parents have been brilliant, they have all be been talking to each other, seeing what they can do to help and It has made me really proud, as team manager, to see how everyone has come together."

Entrance to the charity night tomorrow is priced at £3 per person.

*There is also an appeal running for the neighbours of the Lashey's, whose home was also affected by the fire. People can show their support by logging on gofundme and searching 'Help Rhiannon, kez and family'.