A community has come together to help a family who have been left without a home for Christmas.
Hundreds of people have donated more than £13,000, along with clothes, food and gifts to a family of four after a man and his two daughters were rescued from a fire at their home in Laxley Crescent, Leigh at about 06:00 GMT on Thursday.
The family suffered no serious injuries according to police but are unable to return to the home after all their possessions were destroyed.
Their neighbour Jody Shovelton, 31, began an online fundraiser for the family. “Something needed to be done to get the house back for them,” she said.
Ms Shovelton said the family were “perfect neighbours” who would do “anything for anyone”.
She said: “My neighbour who was rescued, he fixed my house when everything was breaking, and he doesn’t want payment when he does a repair.
“He cooks for me and my daughter as well – he really is the perfect neighbour.”
Ms Shovelton said that after the fire last week, the family will need everything to be replaced.
“Nothing can be salvaged, the house has been condemned,” she said. “No-one is allowed in at the minute. They need everything.”
Ms Shovelton began raising money for the family on Thursday evening and in less than 24 hours had raised more than £8,000.
“The only thing I knew I could do at the time was just try and get some money together,” she said.
“I initially set up the fundraiser just to see if just the locals could chip a little bit in I didn’t expect it to go as viral as it has.
“The family deserve it so much.
“I can’t believe the amount of people donating.
“It’s just so generous, especially at this time of year when people are struggling anyway.
“I can’t even put it into words how happy I am. It’s been amazing to raise so much.”
Beside the online fundraiser, Ms Shovelton said her house has been filled with essential items for the family.
“I’ve had people knocking on my door, so I’ve got donations and lots of clothes and food and stuff like that and gifts for the girls,” she said.
“My house is full of stuff, so they’re not going to go without for now.”
