I’ll never forget the fire, smoke, the friends who did not survive
Poem by tower blaze survivor, 8, moves Wills and Kate
PRINCE William and wife Kate led the rapturous applause after hearing a heart-rending poem by a girl who survived the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Eight-year-old Ayeesha left a lasting impression at a memorial service beside the tower yesterday on the fifth anniversary of the fire.
Reciting her poem – called Never Forget – she said: “I will never forget the fire.
“I will never forget the smoke… I will never forget my friends and neighbours who did not survive. We cannot change the past but we can change the future. Never forget.”
During the service, numerous bereaved youngsters appeared on stage before 18 green balloons were released to represent the 18 children who died in the fire.
The blaze on June 14, 2017, in Kensington, West London, killed 72 people in total. There was a 72-second silence at the start of the multi-faith service. All 72 names were read aloud at the end.
An emotional-looking Kate, 40, and William, 39, then laid a wreath at the foot of the tower.
The pair, who have long-supported the Grenfell community, are said to have backed the families’ fight for justice.
Tiago Alves, 25, who escaped the blaze, said the Cambridges met 11 members of bereaved and survivors’ group Grenfell United yesterday, as well as children who were affected.
He added: “We were trying to give them a slice of what it was like to be us… so they can understand why we fight the way we do and the reason why justice is so important.
“They said they were very supportive of what we stood for and what it was we were doing and [said] to keep up the good work.
“They seemed like they genuinely cared.
“They did seem more genuine than some of the politicians I’ve met. You could see there was some emotion there.”
Grenfell United, which is campaigning for safe homes, said yesterday: “Today, we remember the 72 beautiful souls lost that night.
“Those in power called them ‘nameless’. They were not nameless. They were treasured, loved and ours. Five years on, another Grenfell is still a very real possibility. This Government should feel ashamed at its complete lack of action and continued carelessness for the 72 lives so needlessly lost.
“We are enraged at the Government, whose sole focus continues to be profit and not public safety.”
It emerged last month the Government is set to keep the controversial “stay-put” policy, meaning residents should stay in tower blocks in the event of a fire.
It was a key recommendation of phase one of the Grenfell inquiry to scrap the policy.
Grenfell United blasted the stay-put policy, adding: “What is the point of an inquiry if nothing comes from it?
“They left us to search for answers, mocked us publicly, now they stand in the way of justice.”
The group added: “We ask for people to be safe and to be treated
Wills & Kate were very supportive. It seemed they genuinely cared for us TIAGO ALVES GRENFELL UNITED CAMPAIGNER
equally. However, over the last five years, the Government has bartered with us every step of the way.
“They’ve distracted us with their games and forced us to police them.
“But ultimately, they’ve made us feel like our 72 loved ones’ lives are constantly being evaluated.”
The group said the support from people across the nation has “given us the strength to keep going”. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy must never be allowed to happen again and our thoughts are with the bereaved families, survivors and residents at this incredibly difficult time.”
A memorial service was also held at Westminster Abbey where veteran journalist Jon Snow said the inquiry must lead to prosecutions.
He added: “Grenfell being set in the richest borough in Britain speaks to the grotesque inequality with which our society is ridden.” Imran Khan QC, who represents survivors at the inquiry, said: “Many have told me they have little faith in the inquiry, the police investigation or the Government affecting change.”
For those at the service in positions of power, he said: “Where were you before the fire? Everyone knew the fire was going to happen. Where were you when residents complained about the lack of safety doors?
“Where were you when combustible cladding was placed on high-rise buildings across the country? Where were you when those responsible for the fire put profit before people?”
He added they “could be forgiven” for not knowing the problems at the time, but not for doing nothing now.
He said: “While you’re welcome today, if you fail to assist the fight for justice, if you do nothing in the next 365 days before the next anniversary, you will not be welcome then.”