Friends aim to raise money for Joanne Edwards and her children after fire destroyed their house

Joanne Edwards and Jodie Henderson-Atkins

Following a house fire which destroyed a family home, friends of Joanne Edwards have set up a fundraising page to help raise money so Joanne and her children can get their home back as soon as possible.

Jodie Henderson-Atkins has set up the page, and the local community has already come together and raised over £600 for the family.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Jodie said: “I went to see her the day after the fire as I am her best friend and it was just awful. She has lost everything and I thought I should do something instead of being sat here doing nothing. I looked around online and thought about setting a charity page up and this seemed the best way to do it.”

Since the page was set up three days ago, £630 has been donated.

Jodie added: “The response we have had has been brilliant. People have shared the page and donated what they can. I originally set a target of £1,000 so Joanne can replace what she needs to replace in the time being, so that is what I am hoping we can raise but like I said, we have already raised £630 so it is going really well.”

Joanne and her family lost their family home on Thrush Street, Rochdale, following a fire on Wednesday 19 August after a deep fat fryer caught fire. The two family dogs lost their lives following the incident.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/97648/dogs-die-following-kitchen-fire

“The fire happened in the kitchen but the whole house has been damaged because of smoke and water damage from when the fire fighters went in,” said Jodie.

Money raised from the fundraising will help Jodie replace goods like beds and sofas - for when the house is back to living standards.

Jodie added: “We don’t know how long it will take to get the house sorted but it will surely be a couple of months.

“The kids are devastated because they have lost everything as well, like their phones and their Xboxes.”

To donate visit:

http://www.gofundme.com/n22gtkcw