Village rallies round couple in their 80s who have ‘lost everything’ after lightning strike

Villagers are rallying round their neighbours who have ‘lost everything’ after lightning hit their home.

A house on Holme-on-Spalding-Moor was set on fire by the lightning strike at around 5pm on Sunday.

The fire caused major damage and left the owners, a couple in their 80s, devastated.

Now a crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help them, and local business are showing their support too.

Already the fundraising page has raised more than £3,500 towards a £5K target. It was set up by Becky Manley, who writes: “During the early evening of Sunday 26th May, Rob and Connie’s house was hit by an aggressive bolt of lightning, resulting in a house fire and all their belongings lost.

“As a community it has hit hard and can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through, but wanted to do something to help.”

One neighbour said: “A couple in their 80s were in their house at the time, thankfully both are OK but they’ve lost everything and their house will need to be rebuilt.”

The nearby Belby Farm Shop had been a drop-off place for toiletries and clothes for the couple immediately after the incident.

And Holme-on-Spalding-Moor pub the Blacksmiths Arms has a collection on the bar for the couple.

The support has meant a lot to the family. Connie’s daughter posted on Facebook: “As a family we cannot thank you enough for doing this and to all the lovely kind people for their donations and kind words. This means so much.”