As the scale of the Grenfell Tower disaster emerges, Brunel stands alongside the West London community to support everyone touched by the fire.
Vice Chancellor Professor Julia Buckingham appealed directly to students and staff to help relief efforts after the high rise blaze in North Kensington, just 12 miles away.
No Brunel students had the tower block marked as their registered address though several students and staff are thought to have close ties with residents in the area.
Today, shortly after the University held a minute’s silence to remember the people who died, Professor Buckingham encouraged the university to help.
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the disaster at Grenfell Tower, which is just on our doorstep here in West London,” she said. “The thoughts of students and staff across Brunel University London are with the victims of this devastating tragedy, their families and friends.
“Lives have been lost, many people have suffered serious injuries and many more have been made homeless. I encourage everyone at Brunel to help offer support either by donations or volunteering.”
Brunel’s Anglican chaplain Rev Sally Hitchiner was there on Friday comforting residents and survivors. She said: “I was working with a few churches in the immediate area listening to and caring for survivors and residents who were evacuated from their homes as they waited for practical aid.
“Thousands of people are traumatised from having seen what happened to their neighbours.”
Overwhelmed by public response, aid organisations have asked for cash donations and vouchers to give victims short-term support. People can help by donating to British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund.
Volunteers can contact the community centre closest to the tower, Edward Wodds Community Centre on 020 7603 2324 or email jacquie@upg.org.uk. Other ways to help include through The Urban partnership Group and Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council.
Reported by:
Hayley Jarvis,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268176
hayley.jarvis@brunel.ac.uk