A FAMILY who lost everything in a fire have thanked the friends and strangers whose donations have furnished their new temporary home.

The Gessey family's house in Elborough Road, Moredeon, was gutted by a fire on Monday, April 8. Since then Mr Gessey, 63, his wife and two grown-up sons, aged 29 and 32, have been living in an unfurnished rented house in Bevan Close, Upper Stratton.

He said: "People have come forward and given us everything you could think of."

Donations have included beds, a TV, three-piece suite and cooker. Mr Gessey said: "I don't know all the names but I'd like to thank everybody. I was really surprised at the amount people gave.

"I'd also like to thank the fire-brigade for their quick response, I think they did a brilliant job."