Communities in Moray rallied behind a family of nine who were left homeless after their home was completely destroyed by fire early on Thursday morning.
As farm worker John Law, his partner Hazel and their seven children recovered from their ordeal in an Elgin hotel people in Dufftown, Elgin and Lossiemouth rallied by taking collections on their behalf.
The Law’s escaped thanks to having a working smoke alarm fitted to their home – that allowed them to escape the building but they could only look on in horror as it was raised to the ground.
Immediate reaction from the community started at Mortlach Primary School, where two of the Law’s children attend. Emma-Louise MacDonald, who works at the pre-school centre, said: “We heard about what happened on Thursday morning so the schools is now doing all it can to help out.
“There are lots of collections in Dufftown – while there is a lot of Christmas spirit I would like to think that the community would react to something like this at any time of the year.”
Meanwhile in Elgin the ‘Meal Machine’ burger van at the B&Q car park took in over £80 in customer donations for the family – with van owner Amanda Millar saying that one customer donated £40 whenever he heard about the family’s plight.
In Lossiemouth resident Julie Swayze spent Friday touring local shops and businesses encouraging them to help the family. The reaction throughout Moray has been swift with donations being pledged from just about every community.
Donations are being accepted at the B&Q car park in Elgin today from 11am until noon with anyone wishing to donate outside of that time invited to leave items at the burger van from 7.30am.