Homeless family receive donations after Woodingdean fire

Glenda Norman, from Woodingdean, has been leading the community response after a house fire displaced a family on Netherfield Green.

Glenda was at home when the fire broke out on Thursday, January 5.

She said: "It was around three when my son came down and said 'have you seen all the smoke in the garden?' We went out there, and we could not see three gardens over because of the smoke.

"I ran out, knocked on the doors and got the neighbours out. They were fine, thankfully.

"I was told I went into automatic drive, it's instinct - It just takes over."

After fire and rescue crews arrived to battle the blaze, and residents were accounted for, Glenda quickly took to the local Facebook group to see what help the community could provide.

The terraced home is severely fire damaged (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

She shared her address and set up a point of contact for neighbours, who were keen to donate food, shelter, and clothes, among other neccessities.

She said: "Facebook just lit up. My phone didn't stop.

"People have been wanting to donate clothes, and a woman has just asked me what shoe size they are."

• Read more: Thousands raised to help family whose home was badly damaged in 'horrendous' fire

Glenda has lived in Woodingdean for five years. She remarked on how the community is unlike any she has ever been a part of before.

She said: "Through lockdown it was great. People would help others get groceries, toilet rolls and so much more."

She believes there's something special about Woodingdean, and this hasn't happened anywhere else she has lived.

"Whilst it was being boarded up last night, I spoke to the police officers outside the house. I went round to offer them a cup of tea, see if there was anything they needed.

"The officer said 'I can't believe it, you're the seventh person that's come round tonight' - but that's just what we're like."

The door and windows have been boarded up at the house (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Glenda reflected on why she is doing such a charitable thing for the affected family. She said she would be "beside" herself if she was in a similar situaton. "It dawned on me that if you stop, and look around your house - and your children's rooms - and what they have, it's scary." she said.

"And for them, that's all gone within an hour."

"They've now got to replace their life. From their underwear to kitchen appliances.

"And we want to help them do that."