With 17 people confirmed dead and countless more missing and injured, the people have London have begun rallying around victims of this week’s Grenfell Tower fire to offer support, and none more so than its celebrities.
Within hours of the blaze starting, Jamie Oliver, Lily Allen and Stella McCartney had all offered support, while pop superstar Adele and her husband Simon Konecki comforted mourners at a late-night vigil.
Wearing what appeared to be an abaya (a long dress-like robe worn by Muslim women), a number of people at the vigil posted photos of the singer to social media, with one social media telling reporters, "she's a beautiful soul and just wanted to see if everyone was alright."
While there, Adele was seen quietly comforting victims with hugs and tears. She actively avoided media attention, opting to set out helping behind the scenes wherever possible.
Prior to Adele's visit, singer and Kensington local Lily Allen wrote, "If anyone need a bed or a lift, or tea tweet me," later offering up food and emergency supplies.
"To any of the 100's of FAMILIES effected by this terrible fire at Grenfell Tower Notting hill today, You are all welcome to come hang out in my restaurant and be fed and watered by my Jamies Italian team," Jamie Oliver wrote alongside an Instagram image, adding, "Food and drink free of charge...our thoughts, love and prayers are with you all."
Naturally, acts of kindness haven't stopped there, with one woman who works for in student housing accommodation offering temporary housing for victims free of charge.
In a tweet since shared 6,100 times, a woman named Laura-Jayne Cannell wrote, "I have 21 studio flats with bathrooms and kitchens available to those that need them. PM me #GrenfellTower PLEASE SHARE."
Since the 24-storey Kensington block of flats caught fire on Monday, Queen Elizabeth II has also shared a message to victims, saying her thoughts and prayers were with those families who had lost loved ones and with the many people still critically ill in hospital.
She also paid tribute to the bravery of firefighters who risked their lives to save others.
“It is also heartening to see the incredible generosity of community volunteers rallying to help those affected by this terrible event,” the queen said.
Top Comments
The victims of the Grenfell Fire don't need publicity seeking celebrities fawning over them. You can love or hate Katie Hopkins, but she wrote a very sensible article on how the fire victims need help.
They don't need celebrities fawning over them, but they DO need their plight kept in the spotlight to ensure they get the compensation and assistance they deserve. Too often things can fall out of the headlines. Celebrities at least keep the light shining on the problem.
They aren't fawning all over them, they are offering help and providing awareness. I think it's lovely.
And the revolting, conservative viewpoint that Katie Hopkins subscribes to has helped cause this. I found her article to be extremely hypocritical, based on stuff she's said in the past.