Oakridge community event raises thousands to help families

The Oak pub, in Oakridge Road, had just one week to organise a huge community event on Saturday, June 10. 

Hundreds of residents headed to The Green under the scorching sun to enjoy various attractions including an ice cream van, funfair, barbecue and hog roast. Plus live music and dancing.

READ MORE: Victims demand answers over Oakridge blaze as fire service gives second update

The tombola raised hundreds of pounds in a few hours (Image: Newsquest)

Carol Cox has lived just off Oakridge Road for eight years, and created a Tombola with her partner, John Wilkins, to help raise funds. 

She said: "You just can't imagine it, can you? Overnight these people have lost everything they own. Photos and things that can't be replaced, someone left in just their towel. It's awful. 

"I've heard that a lot of people have now decided to buy house contents insurance after the fire, it's just not something you think about.

"I just wanted to help and feel useful, so what we are doing here is a little way of helping."

Local businesses, neighbours and even Ms Cox's granddaughter donated to the tombola which saw three tables piled high with items to be won. 

SEE MORE: More than 55 bee swarms reported in Basingstoke this year- what to do if you spot one

Everyone loved soaking the landlord (Image: Newsquest)

In just four hours, the couple had raised more than £800.

Mr Wilkins added: "Tony who runs The Oak is a great guy, and his team have worked so hard. Just look what you can do to bring a community together."

Halfway through the day, Tony put himself up in the stocks to try and raise some cash, and give his locals a bit of a laugh. 

Before getting soaked, the landlord told the Gazette: "As a community, we needed to help and the pub is the heart of the community isn't it? That's why we've done it, for the area and for the community. 

"It has been absolutely fantastic so far, the support we have had for this has been absolutely great.

"We did all of this within a week, my team has been fantastic. I would like this think we could raise at least £6,000 today."

Thousands of pounds have been raised (Image: Newsquest)

On Sunday, June 11, The Oak confirmed on Facebook that the event had raised £8,172 with more donations expected to come in. 

The family-friendly day took place just around the corner from where the tragic fire began two weeks ago. 

More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at the block in Oakridge Road at around 3pm on Saturday, May 27, forcing dozens of people to evacuate their homes.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire investigation team has said that the cause of the fire, which has left 24 families displaced, was an electrical fault.