Community rallies around Stanwell arson victim

May 12 2009 By Mark Goode

Tina with her daughter Angel

A young Stanwell mum and her three-year-old daughter are rebuilding their lives after a devastating fire with help from the community.

Tina Axton, 20, and her little girl, Angel, lost all their belongings when an arsonist started a blaze which wrecked their home in Town Lane in April.

They've since found somewhere else to live, and on Monday they were given new, clothing and bedding, by Staines News reader Diana Sheridan who was moved by the family's plight.

Diana, an occupational therapist who works in the borough, said: "I really empathised with Tina, especially the little girl, and I felt I could offer help with some practical things like clothes and toys.

"If I was in the same position I know I would get a lot of help, so I thought Tina just needed some too. Over the years I have been given an awful lot of stuff and I have been a bit of a hoarder. But at the moment I am not trying to hold on to everything."

Tina said: "It is fantastic, and my little girl is so chuffed. It is so nice that someone has been able to help by giving us things from her home."

Town Farm School in St Mary's Crescent has also donated clothes.

Tina said: "Angel is still having a hard time coping with the new surroundings, and she still hasn't got the stuff she used to have, but Diana has been really helpful, and my friends and family have been supportive too."