Grateful family of beloved South Yorkshire charity stalwart's message to community after devasting fire
Granddaughter thanks public for support after blaze
The grateful family of a South Yorkshire gran who has raised millions for charity have told of their gratitude to hundreds who have rallied to help her.
Sandra Blockley’s home in Thurcroft was severely damaged by a fire on Tuesday afternoon, shocking the community. No one was hurt in the fire.
Now an appeal which was set up to try to raise £500 to buy clothing and essentials has raised nearly £7,000 to help her in her hour of need.
Granddaughter Jess Broadbent said on the JustGiving site that was set up for Mrs Blockley that they had been unable to salvage anything from the fire.
She added “Thank you all for your generosity. We have been and got grandma some clothes and toiletries.”
Meanwhile Rother Valley MP Jake Richards has told of his sadness over the incident.
He said: “I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Sandra Blockley MBE, a Thurcroft resident who has dedicated her life to charity work, has lost her house in a fire.
“Sandra has been a prominent figure in Thurcroft for many years, fundraising and running her charity shop on Green Arbour Road, and has raised more than £1m for cancer and dementia charities. “
Anyone who wants to donate to the appeal can log onto the Just Giving page.
However, a proposed fundraising event at Thurcroft Welfare Community Hall has been postponed for the foreseeable future at the request of Mrs Blockley’s family.
The fire service said crews were called at 2.57pm on Tuesday (April 21) to reports of a shed fire that quickly spread to a nearby property.
Mrs Blockley started fundraising following the death of her daughter, Lorraine, who had cervical cancer, and nursing husband Charlie through dementia.
She set up a charity shop named after her daughter on Green Arbour Road in her home village.