Messages of love carried from Cornwall on 5th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire
72 people lost their lives in the blaze in west London in 2017
Personal messages of love are being carried from Cornwall to London on the 5th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Today marks five years since the tragedy that occurred in west London's North Kensington back in June 2017.
72 people were killed in the blaze, 18 of them were children.
The community, survivors, and bereaved family and friends are uniting to remember those who lost their lives in the blaze.
Cornwall Hugs Grenfell was created a few days after the tragedy, offering respite holidays in the Duchy to survivors, families and emergency services involved in the fire.
Esme Page, who set up the organisation, has travelled up to London today to stand in solidarity and bring messages of support from people in Cornwall.
She told us: "For some, in the early days, they said it was the first time as husband and wife that they had managed to talk about the fire for example because of being cooped up in those hotel rooms all together. For others they said children began to sleep again. One family went back and drew curtains for the first time in 18 months because they looked out onto the tower and they felt strong enough to draw those curtains when they went home. People went back into work, it made all kinds of difference.
"Cornwall did an amazing thing and we want to thank all of the listeners who responded because just today in fact, outside Westminster Abbey, one of the bereaved told me that Cornwall has made such a difference with those holidays and she is constantly hearing it from other people, so big thank you Cornwall."
'Silent walk for Grenfell fifth anniversary'
The Grenfell Tower community are coming together this evening to take part in a silent walk to mark the fifth anniversary of the fire that claimed the lives of 72 people on 14th June 2017.
The silent walk is in memory of those who died and to mourn the losses that "remain heavy in our hearts", five years on from the deadliest domestic blaze since the Second World War.
Firefighters from across the country will form a guard of honour as members of the community take part in the walk that will start from the base of the tower.
Community members will gather at the Notting Hill Methodist Church at 6pm, the walk will begin at 6:30pm.
Many of those taking part will wear something Green to pay respects to those loss and come together to ‘fight for justice’.
‘Memorial events in memory of those lost’
Alongside the silent walk, a series of memorial events will be held to mark the tower block blaze in west London five years ago.
A memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey this morning.
At 2pm this afternoon, a 72-second silence was observed at Westfield shopping centre, after which the names of the 72 victims were read out over the public address system.
Later this afternoon, cording around the tower in North Kensington will be removed so survivors, the bereaved and community groups can gather at its base for a multifaith service and lay flowers and wreaths before the evening walk.
Members of the Grenfell Next of Kin group, which represents those bereaved by the tragedy, said they do not want their loved ones' deaths to have been in vain.
One bereaved relative said the "catastrophe is never ending for us", adding: "They lost their lives so others could live in safety, we don't want them to just say 'Never forget' - we want it cemented in some way."
"The worst domestic blaze in living memory"
Pete Wolfenden, a firefighter who responded to the blaze, said: "It's been five years since the Grenfell Tower fire and the thoughts and wishes go out from all London firefighters and fire control staff personnel to the survivors and friends and family of those who lost their lives in this appalling incident, the worst domestic blaze in living memory.
"We also remember the brave and courageous members of all the emergency services who attended on the night and subsequent days, some of whom still suffer ill-health and bear the mental scars of attending that traumatic incident."
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "Firefighters and the Grenfell community have a bond that was forged in tragedy, and the Fire Brigades Union stands in solidarity with all bereaved, survivors and residents.
"Today, on the fifth anniversary of the fire, it is a time for reflection, and to remember all those who lost their lives, and the loved ones they left behind, their legacy lives on in the fight for justice.
"The community inspire us all with their relentless fight for justice and we continue to stand in solidarity with them every step of the way."
“Social inequality and injustice in our country”
A spokeswoman for campaign group Justice 4 Grenfell said: "Today we stand with the Grenfell bereaved, survivors and community, forever in our hearts.
"The Grenfell Tower fire has become a symbol of the social inequality and injustice that exists in our country.
"Seventy-two people lost their lives, many people lost their homes, possessions, families and loved ones.
"The first duty of any government is to protect the lives of its citizens, from the right to life and including the duty to provide adequate housing, these duties are enshrined in law and are where the Government has and continues to fail."