I want to thank everyone who helped get me back on my feet after my flat burned down
A student who lost his flat to a fire in South Shields has thanked the public for their support as donations to support him continue to rise.
Hartlepool-born AJ Salmond lost the majority of his possessions after a fire ripped through his flat in South Shields.
The 19 year old has only been in the town for a matter of months after moving to become a student at South Shields Marine School.
He is currently living in a hotel, but has thanked the local community for their support in getting him back on his feet.
Shortly after the incident a GoFundMe page was set up by AJ’s friend, Owen Younghusband.
This has now raised over £350.
“We’re doing it to help him, he’d do the same for us” explained Owen.
“Thank you so much, it’s greatly appreciated.”
The sentiment is matched by AJ himself: “I’m quite a proud person. I don’t want to be considered to be a charity!
“I’m usually the type of person to stand on my own two feet, but I was really thankful to Owen for setting it up. I was quite shocked, obviously in a good way. It’s nice to see people around me care.
“I’ve got a couple of plans, but nothing set in stone.”
The pair only met at the start of this academic year, but are already playing a huge part in each other’s lives with Owen’s family playing a part in the fundraising efforts.
The GoFundMe page was launched quickly after the incident, with AJ losing many of his possessions including his passport.
Among other items, AJ lost clothes, food, the certificates he had earned for his course, and all supplies for his kitten. The fire was one of several flats affected in the wider Beach Road blaze last week, where emergency services spent nearly 22 hours tackling a major incident that left 14 residents needing emergency accommodation.
The fundraiser remains open for donations.