A Ramsgate mum-of-two is hoping residents will join her at a Thanet silent march for Grenfell.
Claire O’Shea is hoping Thanet will be one of several districts across the country to show support for the victims of the Grenfell tower block blaze last June which caused the deaths of more than 70 people.
Police and fire services believe the fire started accidentally in a fridge-freezer on the fourth floor. The rapid growth of the fire is thought to have been accelerated by the building’s exterior cladding,
More than 250 London Fire Brigade firefighters and 70 fire engines were involved in efforts to control the fire.
Following the fire the government relieved Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council of responsibility for supporting the survivors, after their inadequate response to the disaster. Responsibility was handed over to the Grenfell Fire Response Team (GRT) led by a group of chief executives from councils across London.
Claire, who is studying for a degree in design, had planned to travel to Kensington to take part in the monthly silent march held at the site but then saw other areas were also holding the protests.
She said: “I’m arranging the march as I was going to go down to Grenfell but then I noticed that other towns were arranging silent marches to show support,
“So, that’s what I’ve decided to do. I’ve been in contact with Justice4Grenfell in London and it’s all set to go ahead.”
“This (march) is to pay respect to those who are no longer with us and is also a movement to ensure we get Justice for Grenfell.”
Claire has set up a Thanet Justice4Grenfell facebook page and is also in discussion with the Fire Brigades Union about speaking at the event which will take place on Saturday (April 14).
Find the Thanet Justice4Grenfell page here