Kentish Express Ashford & District
Steven going hair-free for those left homeless by fire
INVESTIGATION TO TAKE ‘SOME TIME’
A chef will be having his hair and beard shaved, and his legs waxed, to raise money for the residents who lost their homes in a gas explosion.
Steven Robinson, 24, will be going hair-free to donate funds to the Help for Oak Tree Fire Families group, which has been supporting those affected by the fireball.
Five people were taken to hospital after the blast on Monday, June 15, which gutted a row of homes.
One man was left with serious injuries and 10 people were made homeless.
Steven’s mum Tracey Robinson was one resident who lost everything in the fire.
He said: “I just want to help out as much as I can. It just makes you stop and think. Everyone has lost everything, including my mum.
“I want to help get them back on their feet by helping get eve- ryday items like a bed, or other day-to-day things.”
Steven, who lives in Herne Bay, said he first heard about the blast when he finished work and received a phone call from a friend.
He said: “I went straight down there to Mum’s and she was in bits, she was an emotional wreck. It was horrible to see.
“They still haven’t re-homed her yet and she is staying with my brother and his heavily pregnant other half, so she’ll be out on the street in a few weeks.
“The council say she is a priority but they have not done anything about it. They’re not doing enough.
Shock
“They all had two-bed flats before it happened, and it’s not their fault it burnt down.
“My mum is still in shock, it is still upsetting her to this day.
“They said it would take up to four weeks for them to rehome her. It’s already been two weeks, and still nothing.
“But it’s not just Mum – I’m raising money for all the affected residents.”
Steven will be undertaking the big hair-free challenge in around two weeks.
To sponsor him, call 07754 301513 or find him on Facebook by searching for Steven Ronald Robinson.