TWO fundraising walks raised nearly £3,000 for the family of a mum and three children who died in a Bradford house fire.
Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and Aubree Birtle, one, all died in a house fire on Westbury Road, in the BD6 area of the city, in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, August 21.
The fire has hit home and members of the community have rallied to help Bryonie’s family with funeral costs. Two fundraising walks took place on Wednesday.
Jodie Finan said: “My son Alfie, who is 11, and the boys at West Bowling Rugby Club Under-11s really wanted to do something to raise money.
“It was so close to home as my mum lives near the street where it happened.”
The boys and their siblings started the walk at Odsal at 1pm and walked through Wibsey village, where residents were on hand to donate money in the buckets the children carried.
Ms Finan said: “The community came together for the children. People were beeping their car horns in support.”
The children continued on Beacon Road before stopping at the family’s home on Westbury Road.
Ms Finan said: “There were some tears along the way, especially when the children stopped to reflect in front of the family’s home."
The children went through Clayton Heights and finished their walk at Queensbury Rugby Club.
“I can’t explain how proud I am of all the children,” added Ms Finan.
“It was overwhelming, but it was a good day.
“It was a nice thing to be a part of under the circumstances.”
The walk raised £750 and the money will be paid into the GoFundMe page set up for the family.
Another fundraising walk from Rattlers Club in Wibsey started at 5pm and raised more than £2,000.
“It went amazingly well,” said organiser Jodie Beck. “It couldn’t have been better.
“Over 100 people from the area took part in the walk.
“We walked past Bryonie’s house and then onto Beacon Road and into Wibsey village before meeting back at Rattlers Club.
“It was very emotional and overwhelming. We were close with her family growing up.”
The walk raised £2,130 and Ms Beck said: “We’ll hand the money over to Bryonie’s father Brian.”
Ms Beck also said a fundraising fun day will be held at the club, on Beacon Road, Wibsey.
The fun day, which will feature several bands and singers along with a bouncy castle, raffle, and tombola, will start at 4.30pm on Thursday, September 5.
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