THE Rhyl community has rallied around a homeless mother to help furnish a new home for her and her four children.

Following an appeal by former Royal British Legion fundraiser Richard Kendrick on social media, donations of furniture have been making their way to Kimberley Bond.

Ms Bond had been living with her children - Ryan aged eight, Amy aged six, Daniel aged four and Sophie aged two - in a caravan at Lyon’s Robin Hood since September with support from Denbighshire County Council’s Homeless Prevention Team, after being made homeless in March.

Ms Bond, 32, said: “It’s been a tough time. It was so cold in the caravan, myself and the kids were always ill.

“We found out about the new home on Friday, December 20 - four days before we were due to move in - and I just cried. I had to get out of the caravan for my families health, but asides from five single beds we had no furniture.

“Because I had done some seasonal work over the summer, I wasn’t eligible for any grants so I had a house, but needed to find a way to make a home for my children.”

Ms Bond spoke to Mr Kendrick on the same day, who promptly put an appeal out to the more than 9,500 strong Facebook group ‘Restoring Rhyl’.

Ms Bond added: “The support has been amazing. - I’ve be so surprised by the response we’ve received.

“I’ve had kitchen stuff, slow cooker, microwave, a kettle and a deep fat fryer as well as crockery and pots and pans. we don’t have any knives and forks yet, but we’ve been using plastic cutlery which works.

“With the kids, the most important thing is being able to feed them so the kitchen stuff has been most important so far, as well as the sofa which gives us somewhere to sit as a family.

“We’ve also been massively helped out by Joseph Hughes, who bought me a washing machine which is essential when you have four children, and Lesley Sexton who has gone above an beyond with her help and by giving us curtains and bedding.

“I’ve also been given a a chair, a corner unit and a bedside table too.

“Still a long way to go yet though. Coming out a caravan after four months with nothing - things are finally looking up.”

Mr Kendrick said: “I knew lots of people would come forward - the people of Rhyl always do.

“If anyone is in need they help in anyway they can.”

To make a donation to Ms Bond and her family, contact Mr Kendrick via kendrick7396@gmail.com.