Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal Launched to Support Community After Devastating Fire
Today, at the request of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, Cumbria Community Foundation has launched the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal. This appeal aims to assist those impacted by the devastating fire that destroyed multiple buildings on December 8, 2024. The appeal will provide support for both immediate and long-term recovery efforts for those affected by the fire.
The appeal has received an initial donation of £50,000 from Westmorland and Furness Council to provide immediate relief before Christmas. The fire resulted in the tragic death of one individual and forced 20 people to seek emergency and temporary housing. Additionally, six businesses were destroyed and 78 more were affected by the fire, causing significant damage to both the interior and exterior of buildings. Market Street remains closed to vehicles and pedestrians with a cordon in place for public safety purposes, as demolition work on unsafe buildings is currently underway.
The Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal will primarily focus on assisting individuals who have been displaced from their homes and lost possessions, as well as those experiencing financial hardship due to business closures and loss of income. If funds allow, the appeal will also support community recovery activities.
Immediate hardship needs will be addressed through the distribution of grant awards by Cumbria Community Foundation, in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council and the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard. A committee composed of representatives from the Community Foundation and the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership will oversee the distribution of these grants.
Chair of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, Angela Jones from Westmorland and Furness Council, expressed the importance of the appeal, stating, “This fire has caused significant financial hardship and emotional distress to those directly affected and also to the whole community. The full impact of the fire is still emerging, but recovery is likely to take many months, if not years.” Jones also noted that they are working with local MP Lizzy Collinge to lobby the government for matching funds, stating that “for every pound donated, the government would match the same amount.”
Chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, Councillor Paul Cassell, emphasized the need for support from the community, stating, “Recovery is going to be a long process, please support this appeal if you can.”
Chief Executive at Cumbria Community Foundation, Andy Beeforth, expressed his condolences for the devastation caused by the fire and stated that the Foundation will use their fundraising and grant-making skills to assist the town’s recovery efforts. The Foundation has set an initial target of £100,000 for the appeal and is working closely with the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership.
The Foundation is also coordinating efforts in relation to the Lunesdale Hall GoFundMe page, which has now been closed.
The Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal is being promoted and supported by Westmorland and Furness Council, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, local news media, as well as regional and national newspaper groups.
Donations and funds are being sought from individuals, businesses, grant-making trusts, local, regional, and national charities, community fundraising events, and existing and new government funding programs.
Westmorland and Furness Council are also coordinating efforts to support local businesses and are seeking government support for grant aid and suspension of business rates. While charitable appeals are unable to support businesses directly, the Appeal can assist business owners and employees experiencing financial hardship as a result of the fire.
To donate to the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Fund, please visit https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-appeal. To find out more about the fund, please visit https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/kirkby-lonsdale-fire-disaster-recovery-fund/. For immediate short-term relief of hardship, please contact the Community Hub on 015242 36404.
The Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership has been formed to coordinate efforts to support recovery. The partnership includes representatives from the Town Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Chamber of Trade, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Interest Company, local churches, NHS Primary Care, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard CIO, and local voluntary groups.
Cumbria Community Foundation is an award-winning fundraiser and grant-maker that has been in operation since 1999. The Foundation promotes philanthropy and manages grant-making funds on behalf of a wide range of families, businesses, charitable trusts, and public bodies. In 2023/24, the Foundation distributed £6.8M to projects and individuals throughout Cumbria. In addition, the Foundation has run disaster appeals in 200
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.