£5,000 has been raised in just a few days to help re-equip a Cambridgeshire social club for ex-servicemen gutted by a New Year’s Day arson attack. A GoFundMe appeal has been set up by Trudy Furness to help pay for equipment which only had “limited” insurance cover and was destroyed in the fire at the Wisbech Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Alexandra Road, Wisbech.
“Although the insurance covers bringing the club back with fixtures, fittings, carpet, paint, electrical and plumbing, we have limited cover for everything else,” she says.
This includes such items as “projectors, TV’s, sound System, inhouse stream setup, table cameras etc – we are going to fall short”.
Trudy has set her sights on raising £10,000 for what she describes as “our family spirited community club”.
She says the arson attack has left “staff, the committee, and its members in utter disbelief.
“How could someone intentionally set out to destroy a non-profit organisation where our members including ex service personnel who are in most days of the week.
Arson probe after New Year’s Day blaze at Cambridgeshire ex-servicemen’s club
“They come to the club for the company of the clubs other members and are the only people they talk to day to day,, have a few drinks and watch their favourite sports, play cue sports, listen to music, attend events, competitions, tournaments and generally to socialise.
“Everyone knows everyone.”
She adds: “The club is in a bad way, although it seems to be structurally sound. Most of the internal damage is far beyond repair, with the majority of it needing to be stripped back, cleaned, and rebuilt, which could take months.
“While we keep our hopes pinned on the perpetrators being brought to Justice, our focus is to get to work and rebuild our very special club.
“We thank each and every one of you who has reached out to offer support and assistance, it is very much appreciated. Those that rallied to help secure the building after the fire brigade and Police released it back to committee a massive thank you also.”
To support the appeal, go to: https://gofund.me/8637349a
Trudy adds: “We need your help more than ever, anything you can spare or running fund raisers while we get to work it would be much appreciated.
“We have one of the best community clubs around, let’s get it back on its feet as quick as we can!
“Whatever you can do we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
More than 20 firefighters, including crews from Wisbech and March along with crews from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, attended the fire.
Anyone with information about the arson should contact police
Visit https://www.cambs.police.uk/
to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
