'Overwhelming' donations after Cornish family lose everything in house fire
A mum and six children escaped the blaze at Ruan Minor but their home has been destroyed
Last updated 20th Dec 2021
A village hall is packed with donations for the Cornish family who have lost everything in a house fire just days before Christmas.
Mum Lisa-Marie and her six children managed to escape the blaze at Ruan Minor on the Lizard, but were left with nothing except the clothes on their backs.
Firefighters from Mullion, Helston, St Keverne, Falmouth and Tolvaddon rushed to the scene on Saturday night but despite their best efforts, the property was completely gutted.
Several appeals have been launched to help the family, including a plea for help from other residents.
Since it was posted on the Ruan Minor Noticeboard, organisers have been inundated with donations.
Sam Jane is one of those behind the appeal and says the village hall is now full of toys, clothes and other essentials.
She told us the support is incredible: "We have been absolutely inundated with so many kind donations.
"People have just been turning up with clothes, children have brought in their toys, people have brought in money.
"It's just restored my faith in human nature; people have been so, so kind".
Sam added that the donations and offers of help having been coming from far and wide.
She said: "I've had messages, not just from Ruan, but from the neighbouring villages, from other places in Cornwall - just wanting to help.
"It's been such a horrible thing to have happened but seeing this has just sort of made you think people are brilliant".
Local crisis response charity, The Sparkle Foundation UK, has also put out an appeal for support.
Information and a donation link can be found on its Facebook page.