Community rallies for Helen after house fire
THE SHETLAND community is rallying around for a woman from Lerwick who “lost everything” in a house fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Helen Tait was left devastated following the blaze at her Sandveien property, which thankfully left no one with any injuries.
Her friend Kirksty Bradley quickly launched the Facebook page ‘Help Helen Oot After House Fire’ in an effort to source unwanted furniture and household items.
Within a matter of minutes, items like tables, beds, curtains, kettles, toasters, TVs, cabinets and cutlery had been offered.
The campaign is also actively looking for smaller items like toiletries, glasses, socks and slippers.
Local business Home Furnishing said it would provide products to Helen for cost price to “help her get back on her feet”.
Bradley said she was “overwhelmed” by the offers of donations from the public.
Helen is due to find out on Monday where she will be moved to until her house is made safe.
Two fire appliances were sent to the scene at around 1.15am on Saturday and four breathing apparatuses and two hose reel jets were used, as well as thermal imaging cameras.
Kirksty said Helen was “one of my closest, oldest friends, and no matter what we have both been through we have always been there for each other”.
She described her friend as the sort of person who, if you asked to borrow her lawnmower, “next thing you know you can hear a lawnmower and Helen will be cutting your grass for you! It is in her nature to help people and her attitude is very much one of just get it done”.
Help keep Shetland’s news open to everyone
Good local journalism takes time, care and people on the ground. Membership helps us keep reporting the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read. Members get a weekly newsletter created especially for them, local ads only, and can bookmark stories and join the conversation in the comments.
Already a member? Sign in.
Kirksty said she was currently down in Wales and, when she heard the news, the first thing she did was transfer her money to buy something to wear.
“But it was frustrating knowing that I couldn’t physically help her, which is why I made a page asking ‘friends’ to help. I never expected strangers to offer help of every variety.
“Helen and myself are completely overwhelmed and humbled at just how Shetland as a community has pulled together. It shows that when folk say ‘oh, Shetland has changed’ – maybe, just maybe, we can show that at the heart of Shetland there is still a strong sense of community and that I hope will never change.”
- To get in touch about donating items, visit the Facebook page here.
Keep Shetland’s news open to everyone
Your membership helps us report the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read.