Cash target smashed after Sunderland care home fire

An online fundraiser for a care home which was hit by a serious fire that put six people in hospital has smashed its target within hours.

Eight people were rescued by firefighters and six taken to hospital for treatment after a fire broke out in the roof of the Croft Care Home on Ettrick Grove in High Barnes, Sunderland on Friday.

Thirty people were inside the building at the time the fire was first reported, at 10.32am on Friday, June 26, and a total of 43 firefighters were on the scene.

Residents were temporarily moved to the nearby Holy Cross nursing home, also known as the Little Sisters.

Local businesswoman and fundraiser, Jolene Casey, leapt into action and set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the home.

She set an initial target of £1,000. Within hours generous members of the community had donated over £3,500.

Jolene has a string of fundraisers behind her. Recently this included helping to raise thousands for good causes related to Covid-19.

A delighted Jolene said: “I was just coming out of The Range and could see the smoke. I found out when I got home what had happened.

“They appealed for things like pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers and people have given them generously. So I though I would raise some money.

“We only started with a target of £1,000, but I’m hoping for £5,000 now. If this money can make them happy, I’m happy.

“I’ve spoken with the manager. She can go out and get whatever they need. I was going to buy the stuff for them, but I’ll just pass it over as they’ll know what to do with it.

“Hopefully it’s a good little start for the residents. I just hope this somehow makes them happy. Anything that’s for the community – I’ll be there.”

The Croft Care Home, next to Barnes Park, is an independent home which helps look after residents including a number who have dementia.

It has 33 bedrooms and also runs a separate three-bedroom bungalow for those in need of a higher level of care and support.