Community unites to support family with essentials after lightning hit their home

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Following a lightning strike on 28 May, two fundraisers have been launched in Melton Mowbray to support residents impacted by fire damage.

One home, whose owners had just completed a lengthy renovation, ‘suffered catastrophic damage’ during the storm. The fundraiser, called ‘Rebuilding Lives Together,’ said that: “In a matter of moments, everything they had worked so hard for was taken away.”

“In the early hours of this morning, our village was struck by a devastating lightning strike which has completely changed the lives of two local families.”

A different property, belonging to a couple who moved to the village two years ago, suffered ‘significant damage.’ The fundraiser is hoping to raise approximately £7.5k for support to the two families, and at the time of writing has raised £2.5k.

Resident Josh is the organiser behind the Rebuilding Lives Together fundraiser, “As many of us know, our village is more than just a place to live,” he said. “It is a strong and close-knit community that comes together when people need support the most. Today, these families need that support more than ever.”

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“We are hoping to raise funds through this GoFundMe page to help both families with immediate essentials, temporary accommodation, clothing, personal belongings, and the difficult road ahead as they begin rebuilding their lives following this heartbreaking event.”

“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference, even simply sharing this post will mean the world to them and their families,” said Josh. “Even if 3000 people were to put two pounds in, it all adds up – no donation is too small, it all adds up. Thank you all for your kindness and generosity during such a difficult time.”

A separate fundraiser has been set up to raise money to help locals impacted by the lightning strike to ‘resettle and purchase any new items they may need.’ This fundraiser seeks to raise £2.4k, and at the time of writing is about a quarter of the way there.

The organiser of this fundraiser said: “After reading the story of a local families home set on fire by a lightning strike in the early hours of Thursday 28th May in Melton Mowbray, I'd like to help them to resettle and purchase any new items they may need.”

“Anyone would want the same if it was their grandparents or their family members” said Josh. “It’s nice to use the power of social media for something that can become quite positive for the two families.”

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