THE ONGAR Academy has launched an appeal for the twelve pupils left homeless after a fire at the hotel they were living in.

A spokesperson for the school said: “On Friday 29th March, 9pm, a fire broke out at The Phoenix Hotel, North Weald. The fire has completely destroyed 25% of the building and as a result, all the families that lived there have been sent to temporary accommodation.

There are 12 students who lived at the hotel and attended The Ongar Academy. They are all valued members of our school community and have been working hard towards their assessments and year 11 exams.

However, the temporary accommodation, apart from being poor quality and dirty, is located nearly two hours drive away from the school.

We would like to support our families financially to replace clothing, books and other items. We would also like to use the funding to support their transport to and from school, or if we raise enough, help to cover costs of new accommodation closer to the school and the community they know as their home.

Many staff and parents have asked to make donations and we feel this is the best way to do so.

We can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been to evacuate the hotel at night, without a single possession and be rehoused miles from anywhere.

“This is the time that we, as a community, must support however we can”.

To support the appeal, click here.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-for-families-of-the-pheonix-hotel