Collingham's caring community rally round to raise £8,000 for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the Firefighters Charity in memory of Collison family
More than a year after a devastating fire that claimed the lives of a mum and her children, emergency services who responded that day were presented with thousands of pounds to help their vital work.
The presentation at Collingham was attended by Gavin Collison, who survived the blaze that took the lives of his family. He paid tribute to those who tried to help on the day and have supported him since.
“The village really came together in the aftermath of the fire. I couldn’t have gotten through it without the people here,” said Gavin.
“Everybody was so supportive and remain so.”
Just before Christmas 2018, with neighbours beaten back by the flames, Collingham firefighters forced their way into the Collison family home to try to rescue Gavin, his wife, Justine, whom he married in 2009, their children Isabella, 8, Harvey, 5, and Justine’s mum, Diane Fletcher.
Despite the best efforts of fire crews, paramedics and hospital staff, Justine and the children died from smoke inhalation.
The Collingham community was devastated by the loss of the young family, not least the retained fire crew who all either live or work in the village.
As Gavin, a 35-year-old technician, lay seriously ill in hospital, vigils were held in Collingham, bishops and political leaders sent messages of condolence, and the village school, where Isabella and Harvey were pupils, was in shock.
On the first anniversary of the fire, a fundraiser took place at Collingham Football Club that raised more than £8,000 to be split between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the Firefighters Charity.
Gavin, who still lives in Collingham, said: “As the day approached, I was just thinking that I would have to spend it in bed. I thought it would probably be too much for me, but I’m glad that I went.”
Andy Germany, a friend of Gavin’s, said grief had turned to consideration about finding a positive from such a terrible event.
A fundraiser involving a darts tournament for adults and children and a fun day, which Andy, his partner Helen Townsend, Mick Goodwin and Karen Bentley were key organisers.
More than 150 prizes were donated for the draw from the community.
Andy said: “The football club is a massively integral part of Collingham.
“When you walked around the village after it happened, there were just tears everywhere. It’s the nature of villages that when there is a tragedy, people feel a deep sense of shock and rally together.”
Matthew Moore was the paramedic on board the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance that took Isabella and Harvey to hospital.
“It was the most testing and emotional call of my career,” said Matthew, who was there with colleagues to accept the cheque.
“It was a call out that took a little piece of everyone who attended. It was so sad and something I will never forget.”
Matthew said it was truly humbling that the village had raised money for the air ambulance, which relies on donations to keep flying.
Gavin has just been flown back from the Falkland Islands by the RAF after a 72-mile, two-day sponsored walk, with his Serviceman friend Sergeant Adam Collins for Friends of John Blow Primary School.
“I said that once the funerals had been held that I would start fundraising for the Friends,” said Gavin, who met Justine while both were serving in the RAF.
“Both my kids went to the school. Harvey and Isabella had many friends at John Blow.
“The funds raised will help buy new resources for these friends and future children that make their way through primary school here.
“Justine was once an air steward and flew on Tristars as part of 216 Squadron. She had visited the Falklands on a number of occasions and it was nice to see the place that she had once been.”
Gavin’s walk has so far raised £1,285.
To donate, go to https://wonderful.org/fundraiser/falklandswalk-647d7b18
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