Samcam and Jamie Oliver rally for local community
THE extraordinary community effort to help the victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze yesterday brought together pop stars, celebrity chefs and even the wife of former prime minister David Cameron.
But joining the likes of Samantha Cameron, Jamie Oliver and Lily Allen were hundreds of volunteers and neighbours of all races, ages and class.
Churches and community centres opened their doors from first light to accommodate those rescued from the blazing building and evacuated from surrounding homes.
Soon they were also taking in hundreds of bags of clothing, bottles of water and food to give to those who had lost everything.
Mrs Cameron was seen handing out bottles of water with volunteers at Notting Dale’s St Francis of Assisi church.
Mrs Cameron earlier told The Daily Telegraph of her horror at seeing the blaze take hold of what has long been a familiar landmark in the area.
She said: “There was thick, thick smoke. We saw the flames because it is at the back of our house. You feel totally helpless for the families in the building. What is amazing is seeing the community coming together and helping each other.” It certainly did that. Volunteers from the Muslim Aid charity collected and distributed donations alongside Anglican and Sikh volunteers. Shopkeepers and businessmen offered their services for free.
In an area with million pound-plus homes yards from social housing, middle class residents were joined by working class neighbours in donating food, soft drinks, nappies and clothes.
The Anglican Area Dean for Kensington, the Reverend Mark O’donoghue, said: “Its been a very London response, with people of all faiths and social class trying to help. This disaster has brought out the best in people.”
One of his churches, St Clement of Notting Dale, was contacted by the chef at designer Stella Macartney’s nearby studio who came in to cook lunch for those gathered inside.
Businesses from the nearby Notting Dale Village development brought trolleys of refreshments including sandwiches and fruit for the emergency services.
Many local residents opened up their homes to friends, neighbours and strangers displaced by the fire.
Lily Allen offered her home as shelter and Jamie Oliver offered free food, drink and shelter at his restaurant in the Westfield shopping centre.