UPDATE: How you can help Warner Beach flat fire family

SINCE the Sun published the article about a fire which decimated a flat in Merrit Avenue, Warner Beach, people have asked how they can assist the family who occupied the space and have since lost everything.

The ground floor flat caught alight on Tuesday afternoon, 23 January.

Lindsay Holness, mother of Barry (5) and Makenzie (4) expressed her immense gratitude for the generosity and care shown by the community thus far.

Read about it here: Blaze tears through Warner Beach family’s home

Lindsay is without women’s clothing and work clothing, shoes sized 6/7, make-up, skincare products, toiletries, hair straightener and dryer, her children’s running shoes and stationery, a desk, bedside table, dressing table and coffee table as well as any other household belongings. Lindsay appeals to the community for a reasonably priced convection oven as her previous one has blown.

Barry wears a child’s size 6-7 clothing and child’s size 12 shoes, while Makenzie wears size 5-6 years clothing and child size 11 shoes.
“Luxuries aren’t necessary now, I just want my children to be comfortable and happy again,” said the mother.

While many of the Holness’ material belongings were destroyed in the fire, Lindsay stresses her concerns about her domestic helper who is without work while the flat is being redone.

“Queenie Langa is an absolutely divine person, an efficient worker who is great with children,” she said. “I would appreciate it if someone could employ her, even once a week, until the flat is redone.” Queenie can be contacted via her daughter Thobile on 060-395-2566.

Amanzimtoti Cares has come forward to provide bins as drop-off points for the family, and if a collection needs to be made, they will do so. Drop-off points include Pick n Pay Arbour Crossing, Pick n Pay Winklespruit, Illovo Nursery, Hit the Spot restaurant or Ultra DVD Warner Beach. Those donating are asked to clearly mark the parcels ‘Lindsay Holness’, ‘flat fire’ or other relatable words.

Contact Amanzimtoti Cares’ Edna Blom on 082-466-0017 for more information.

“To the brave hearts who jumped in to assist when my home was on fire, I can’t put into words how your support, whether it be to keep my children away from what would be a traumatic sight or assisting in putting out the fire, has helped me,” said Lindsay. “I am truly sorry that I could not put out the fire before it grew out of control and for the damage it caused to the unit above. To the fireman who came into the flat with me, thank you for your empathy.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeWEpfFn7M7/?hl=en&taken-by=leofourie01

To find out other ways you can assist, or if certain items are needed, message Lindsay on Facebook at Lindsay Angela Holness or call Trish Edkins on 083-468-9258.

“I am a fighter, and I will continue to fight,” said Lindsay. “I can only see this as a fresh start.”

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