Moray community rallies round family who have ‘lost everything’

A huge outpouring of community support has followed the fire in Lossiemouth at the weekend.

Nearly £4,000 had been donated through two online fundraising pages to support Liz Wood’s family hours after the emergency.

Meanwhile, collection buckets were set up in the town’s two Co-op stores to allow more cash to be donated to support the mother who lived next door with her two children.

Last night, Mrs Wood’s sister Vicky Ingram described the backing of town residents as “humbling”.

She said: “It’s amazing to see all the messages saying they’re thinking of Liz and the boys.

“It restores your faith in humanity.

“It’s not just the money though. They’ve lost everything so people are offering clothes, makeup, I even had somebody drop off a computer games console.

“Everyone’s still in shock really but we’ve been overwhelmed by it all.”

It is understood that locals are already planning fundraising events to rally more support for the family.

Last night, Mike Mulholland, chairman of Lossiemouth Community Council, said the response was “tremendous”.

He said: “The Beach Bar is very popular and had become a lot more popular in recent years.

“It’s amazing to know that people will support those in need – but that’s the kind of place that Lossiemouthis.

“People aren’t afraid to put their hands in their pockets.”

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead praised the emergency services for their response to the fire.

He added: “It is heartbreaking for the owners of the Beach Bar and their staff and for the family who lived in the attached house.

“All our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with what was clearly a major fire that has turned so many people’s lives upside down.”