Saturday night disaster struck when my friends Eugene and Kirsty’s house was burnt to the ground along with all they owned in it. Thankfully Eugene, Kirsty and their two children Aiden and Ella were able to escape, with Eugene suffering minor burns.

On Tristan da Cunha Islanders build their houses from scratch with help from their friends and family using local materials and other materials imported from South Africa. It can be a long process for couples to buold their own home and a lot of tome and effort goes into it.

The islanders are unable to be insured and although some support will be made available by the government this will not be enough for them to replace all that they have lost.

The community have been supporting the family giving them somewhere to stay and helping with spare clothes but its not the same as being in your own home with your own things.

I would ask for those more fortunate to have insurance to look kindly on this lovely family and donate what you can to help us achieve our fundraising goal. They would truly be over the moon to receive some kindness.