Collection launched for disaster victims
A clutch of Shropshire shopkeepers are launching an emergency collection to help victims of the London tower block disaster.
They include retired shopkeeper David Edwards, of Ironbridge, and it is a response to spontaneous offers of money from members of the public horrified by the tragedy.
"What has happened has shocked people in a different way to the Manchester and London terror attacks. This is totally domestic. I have been out today and I have spoken to three or four people here and it's on the lips of everyone, asking how this could have happened," he said.
"People have stopped me. I did a lot of fundraising when I had a shop in Madeley, and particularly in Dawley, and I suppose people remember it. The stories that are coming out are heartbreaking. There is a chap who got his wife and children out and they have lost absolutely everything, and another chap had to borrow a pair of trousers as he had only a pair of shorts on.
"Things are happening as we speak but the plan is to have collecting tins or collection boxes. To get this reaction is astonishing and it shows how decent people are. This is something worse than the Second World War, it's that calamitous.
"The participants are Eleys of Tontine Hill, Ironbridge, and R E & C O Alman, the pharmacist in Woodside shopping centre, who also has a place at Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton.
"This is an immediate reaction to something that is unfolding. People have offered money. I have no doubt that there will be a national campaign."
The plan taking shape is that locally raised money will be paid into a bank account and then diverted to a national appeal fund.
Mr Edwards can be contacted at Bron Hafren, Hillside, Ironbridge, TF8 7QU, telephone 01952 432160.
