FUNDRAISERS
Cash pours in after huge blaze
Christmas is the season of good will to all men, and a father of three has been “gobsmacked” by the kindness of strangers after a couple set up a fundraising page for him.
Phil Tassell was working on a dumper truck at his home in Love Lane, Headcorn, last week when an electrical fault caused a fire.
The blaze tore through his home and business, destroying his belongings and his children’s Christmas presents in the process.
Thankfully his partner, Sarah Millen, her two daughters, her son-in-law, and the family pets all got out safely.
Mr Tassell also has three children, who were at their mother’s house when the tragedy struck.
A week later, the couple are living in a mobile home on site, and are still trying to pick up the pieces.
‘Everyone has been so great, even people down at the shops’
“The original plan was for us to have all the kids for Christmas, but we’ve had to make the decision for them not to come,” the 41-year-old father explained.
Things may be looking up for the family, however, after an Ashford couple created a JustGiving page to help them through this tough time.
Lucy and Ashley Taylor are aiming to raise £5,000 from the page, which has been active for a week and has so far made £710.
The couple, who live in Singleton, have no connection to the Tassell family, but felt terrible for them.
“We have three children of our own, and we felt so bad for those kids at Christmas ,” Mrs Taylor explained.
“Even if people just give a pound it will help them.
“The page is active for 60 days, so I hope people give whatever they can in that time.”
Mr Tassell said he can’t get over people’s generosity.
“Everyone has been so great, even people down at the shops. Christmas is a tough time for any person, so for people to find extra cash to give is amazing,” he said.
To donate, go to tinyurl.com/ tassell