Fundraising page launched to help charity founders after fire devastates home in Bletchley
A fundraising page has been launched to help the founders of a childhood cancer charity who were left ‘broken’ and ‘numb’ after a devastating fire at their home in Bletchley on July 14.
The home of Dawn and Mark Allen in Hexham Gardens, Bletchley, was damaged by a blaze which started when Mark’s car caught fire at 12.30am on July 14, before spreading to their property.
The couple managed to escape unharmed, thanks to neighbours raising the alarm, while firefighters rescued the couple’s dog Storm.
Dawn and Mark founded the Henry Allen Trust in 2014, in memory of their son Henry, who died in 2013, aged three, after being diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.
A fundraising page to help the couple following the fire was set up by Laura Shaw, a volunteer with the trust and friend of the couple, who recently became a trustee of the charity.
Laura said: “I went over to their house yesterday and the whole house has smoke damage, the garden is ruined, and their shed, which held so many memories and served as storage, has been destroyed.
“Because of the toxins from the fire, their whole house has to be emptied, professionally cleaned and redecorated.
“Windows are cracked, guttering has melted, and they are currently sleeping downstairs on a sofa because of the damage and smoke upstairs.
“They will need to be away from their house for around two weeks while the work is carried out.
“We have had to fence off half of their garden so their dog, Storm can’t run around in the soot.
“All the doors and windows have had to stay closed, even in this heat, to stop more of the toxic particles from getting inside.”
Laura added that the couple were still ‘in shock’, and that Mark’s car had been written off following the blaze.
The fundraising page, set up with the couple’s consent, has raised £570 at the time of writing, more than halfway towards its initial £1,000 target.
Laura said: “The kindness shown through the donations has been incredible, but it isn’t only about the money.
“The number of people offering practical help and asking what else they need has been amazing.
“A lovely man called Nick Collins, who saw the news and knew Dawn, came over yesterday and has offered them the use of his car.
“He had been selling it for £1,250 because he was collecting a new one on Saturday, but he offered Dawn and Mark the chance to borrow it or buy it for just £250.
“That sort of kindness, alongside neighbours messaging me, volunteers going around to help and people offering support in any way they can, has really touched all of us, especially Dawn and Mark.”
Bucks Fire and Rescue reported that two crews attended the incident, and used two sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a thermal imaging camera and a short extension ladder to tackle the blaze.
The service said the fire involved a car, before spreading to a neighbouring fence, sheds, hedges and trees, damaging the external areas of the property, including fascia boards and glazing.
The Henry Allen Trust aims to help the families of children experiencing cancer to ‘create memories and fulfil wishes.’