Well-wishers donate £3,500 to help blaze victim Laura

A campaign to support a woman whose flat was destroyed by fire has raised nearly £3,500.

Laura Shaw’s third floor home in Bouch Way, in Barnard Castle, was devastated by a fierce blaze a fortnight ago.

Her sister, Anneka Shaw, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to help her through the aftermath and dozens of dale folk have rallied around to help.

When the siblings lost their mother to cancer, Ms Shaw moved to Barnard Castle, in 2016 to start her life afresh.

But the fire saw Ms Shaw lose all her precious mementos and keepsakes of her mum. Her sister said Laura had embraced life in the dale, had always looked out for others and had taken on a wide range of charity endeavours. She added: “No one deserves this tragedy – Laura has been through so much, so young and remained selfless and kind.

“It would be such a helping hand to support and lift her if those able to could donate something towards an effort to rebuild her life. Anything will help.”

Ms Shaw’s colleagues at The Witham in Barnard Castle have backed the campaign.

Marketing manager at the arts centre Sarah Gent said the generosity of dale folk had been inspirational.

She added: “We have been inspired by people’s kindness and their reaction to the situation. It’s heartening to live in a community where people respond like this. People have walked in with bags of things for her, as well as offers of bits and pieces to get her life back together which has been wonderful.”

Four fire engines and an aerial ladder were used to tackle the fire, which took several hours to fully extinguish.

Fire service investigators began scouring the scene on June 9 to try to piece together a possible cause. But a trigger for the blaze remains unknown.

In the meantime, more than 100 people have given money to the fund for Ms Shaw since it was started on June 11.

One person who donated said: “Sorry this happened but the community here are great. You will ride out the storm with help from Barnard Castle and the surrounding areas.”

Ms Gent added that recent events in London had made the fundraiser all the more pertinent. “In the face of what happened in London, in worst case scenarios we can see the good of people,” she said.“It’s the one solace really.”

Ms Shaw said any time or services people could give up to help her sister would be greatly appreciated.

To donate to the fund, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/please-help-laura-rebuild-her-life.