Community / More than £4,500 raised for hotel staff and residents
OVER £4,500 has now been raised by the Shetland community to help those affected by the Moorfield Hotel fire to get back on their feet after losing their belongings.
The fundraiser was launched by Brae man James Milne on Monday morning while fire fighters remained on the scene.
Milne, who had worked as a chef in the hotel, said he “couldn’t believe” the amount raised.
A clothes donation campaign also saw over 120 black bags of items collected.
The hotel was burned to the ground following the blaze, which first started in the early hours of Monday.
Around 70 people were in the hotel at the time but they were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.
However, the Shetland Gas Plant workers staying in the hotel as well as some live-in staff lost all of their belongings.
A clothes donation campaign was also launched shortly after news of the fire broke.
The online fundraising page shows a total of £3,525 but Milne said Shetland Unite branch secretary Ian Mills has now donated £1,000.
“Nothing can replace the sentimental items they have all lost, but having items to call their own after having nothing in the morning is a start,” he said on Tuesday.
“And that’s what this is – giving them a start, the community coming together to help them back on their feet.
“A huge thanks to everyone that was involved in the sorting of clothes and especially to my fiancé Katie Maggs, Cat Duncan and Diane Davis. It was a long day for everyone yesterday. But those three need a thanks as they did so much.”
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