Leeds Fire Victim's Family Appeal For Donations
The family of Joanne Semple, who died in a house fire in Leeds on Easter Weekend, are appealing for donations to help cover the cost of her funeral.
The family of Joanne Semple, who died in a house fire in Leeds on Easter Weekend, are appealing for donations to help cover the cost of her funeral.
Joanne died at a home in East End Park along with Kelly Taylor-Hackett and Stephen Fitzgeral, and three pet Rottweilers.
Joanne's Mum Anne Raper raised the alarm when she went to visit her daughter on Easter Sunday. She called at the house and got no answer, so she called the police. They then discovered that all 3 had died.
Anne is now working with close family friends Sharon Jackson and Helen Corscadden to try and raise funds for Joanne's fuenral. A service and burial close to home will cost nearly £2000.
They're appealing for items that they can sell off at a car boot sale, but they still need a venue. A Just Giving page for people to donate cash has also been set up.
Anne told Radio Aire why it was vital for her daughter to get a burial close to home:
"I want Joanne to be laid to rest with dignity, and in a place that is lcoal to her family where we can go at any time and put flowers down,a nd be there with her.
"You don't expect to bury your children. Parents, yes, but children definitely not. Joanne was a lovely, bubbly, happy person with lots of friends. She was well-loved in the gay community in Leeds and everybody loved her.
"I've been back to put flowers down at the house since, and even getting a death certificate the other day just didn't seem real at all. I just hope it all ends soon".
The women are hoping that they can hold a car boot or yard sale some time this month to try and raise vital funds. A Just Giving page appealing for cash has also been set up https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/helen-corscadden