The son of an elderly couple whose house was burnt down in a financially and emotionally devastating fire has appealed to the public to help raise funds for his parents.

Gavin Liddle, 26, from Darlington, who launched a GoFundMe page for parents Kevin, 61 and Lorraine, 58, after their Chilton house burned down is appealing for more donations to help his family.

The family's life was turned upside down after a fire broke out in their Chilton Terrace home at around 4.30pm last month (November 8).

Gavin, who is studying to be a nurse, said the fire destroyed many of his parents' sentimental items, while their residence of 23 years has been boarded up.

Read more: Family 'lose everything' in house fire in Chilton near Aycliffe

The Northern Echo:

Unfortunately, Mr Liddle's parents did not have an insurance policy to cover fire damage, and Gavin's fundraiser appeal has raised just £1,658 of the £20,000 target at the time of writing.

Gavin, who launched the appeal last month, told The Northern Echo: "I got a phone call from my dad at half past four saying his house is on fire, and could I come over and help them out with things.

"The house was completely and utterly burned. I did go into the property, everything's just destroyed, it's all ruined.

"Sentimental items are gone, they've lived there for 23 years and 23 years of memories [have] gone up in smoke.

The Northern Echo:

"The fire brigade have said everything is no longer usable or salvageable.

"[They're] just down in the dumps, half of their lives have just been erased."

Mr Liddle said his mother has been left unable to work due to mobility issues, while his father works as a factory worker, meaning they cannot afford the repair bill which is in the thousands.

The Northern Echo:

The pair have lost priceless items including a wedding dress, sentimental photos, furniture and all of their clothes.

Read more: Horror crash on A1 near Catterick sees two lorries and a car collide 

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The home is now unhabitable due to the fire damage on the ground floor and significant smoke damage on the first floor, and they now reside in temporary accommodation in Bishop Auckland.

He said with the fire, and rising costs due to the cost of living crisis, his parents are struggling to ensure they have the basic essentials.

Mr Liddle said he is trying to help out his parents financially, however there is only so much he can do.

Speaking on the support shown to his parents, he thanked those who donated for their generosity, especially in such a trying time for his family.

The Northern Echo:

He said: "The support's been unbelievable. I can't thank everyone enough that's donated.

"We didn't expect this sort of support in such a short space of time. I couldn't appreciate them more if I tried.

"Especially in these times we're in now, with the cost of living crisis [and] the cost of inflation going up. For people who probably don't even know my family to donate money is just incredibly generous."

You can donate to Gavin's fundraiser here.

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