Hundreds of free holidays are being offered to heroic firefighters who helped battle the flames at Grenfell Tower after being crowd-sourced by members of the public.
More than 370 holidays have been offered in the Grenfell Tower Holiday Appeal Facebook Group since the fatal blaze on June 14 , co-organiser Angie Mays said.
Among those who have taken up the offer is a firefighter who has been described by his wife as “utterly broken” by the tragedy.
Ms Mays, a fundraiser from Ilfracombe, Devon, set up the campaign with friend and volunteer Kay Gilbert.
The short-stay offers have come mainly from small businesses, B&Bs and guesthouses all over the UK, but also in Spain and Cyprus, Ms Mays said.
Among those taking up the offer will be a firefighter, his wife and two children, who will head to a cottage in Marsden, West Yorkshire, for a week this month.
The wife, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “What Kay and Angie have done from the kindness of their hearts will help so many families at such a distressing time in their lives.
“As a firefighter’s wife, I was directed to the page they lovingly set up for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and any emergency services who may have been affected by it.
“This has been the most horrific job of my husband’s career and he has been utterly broken by it.
“As we all have - trying to support him emotionally, and trying to understand what he has been through. Not to mention praying he comes home in one piece.
“Thanks to the utter kindness of these wonderful ladies and all of the generous donations to this cause, we will be able to go away for a week as a family for some much needed R&R.
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“This means the world to me that I can take them away from it all, if just for a moment.”
Among those offering their properties on the Facebook page is Penelope Baatz. She wrote: “We have a two bed apartment in Costa Teguise which we would like to offer as holiday accommodation for 1 or 2 weeks to any emergency service personnel who attended the Grenfell Tower fire. Not sure what to do from here so will wait for a reply. Thanks.”
Thanking the creators of the page, Richard Peacock said: “What an amazing appeal you guys have set up and so many kind gestures of holidays! I’ll pass on the details to the guys at Red watch Wimbledon.”
And firefighter Stewart Brown added: “What an amazing gesture. Such kindness out there. Thank you so much from Red Watch Battersea. Will share with the guys x.”
Less than a week after the disaster singing superstar Adele visited Chelsea firefighters who battled the Grenfell Tower fire .
The Grenfell Tower Holiday Appeal Facebook Group can be viewed here .
Around 200 firefighters tackled the blaze .
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