A time of need

Sir, The British Red Cross has started an appeal to raise money to help people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in west London.

Money will be given to people affected by the fire, including those who have lost everything, to buy the things they need to give themselves and their families as much normality as they can get at this extraordinarily difficult time.

By donating to the London Fire Relief Fund, people will be able to help those who have been injured, bereaved, left destitute or traumatised by this tragedy.

The British Red Cross will be leaning on its experience of co-ordinating emergency fundraising after the 7/7 bombing and more recently in Manchester and after the London Bridge attack, and working with Kensington and Chelsea Council to create a mechanism to distribute funds to those in most need.

We are now launching this national appeal together with the local authority to support those people who have lost everything, so they can receive financial help as soon as possible.

As well as launching this appeal we are also keen to use our convening power to bring partners together to work out the best way to raise funds and distribute them.

We thank the people of the UK for their continued generous support and overwhelming show of humanity in this time of need. Mike Adamson, chief executive, British Red Cross.