THE TRAGIC death of schoolboy Anton Fox has touched an entire community which has rallied round to help out the family. Just days after an appeal for donations appeared in The Evening Star, the Fox family have been inundated with gifts from well-wishers saddened by the death of the seven-year-old in a house fire.

By Amanda Cresswell

THE TRAGIC death of schoolboy Anton Fox has touched an entire community which has rallied round to help out the family.

Just days after an appeal for donations appeared in The Evening Star, the Fox family have been inundated with gifts from well-wishers saddened by the death of the seven-year-old in a house fire.

Paul Emmett, who runs a newsagents in Ulster Avenue, volunteered the use of his shop as a collection point for household goods, food, clothes and furniture for the family.

Anton's grandmother, Jacinta Fox, who has taken in the family temporarily at her Ulster Avenue home, said: "People have been so wonderful, so kind. In a lot of cases even people who haven't been well themselves have brought us things.

"Anton's mother, Ester, is still so upset she can't face anybody and I don't know how long it will be before she can.

"She hasn't been out of the house. Perhaps in a few weeks or so she might be able to venture down to the shops when this is not quite so fresh. But it will take a few more weeks.

"But she has said she is so grateful to everybody for bringing clothes and toys and everything. We are overwhelmed. Thank you. I don't know what to say."

People jumped to the family's aid after they heard how they had lost nearly all their possessions in the Marlow Road blaze.

The bedroom where the fire broke out was completely destroyed and the rest of the house suffered severe smoke damage.

Kathleen Ambrose of Sally Ann's, the Salvation Army shop in Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich, called for the family to pop in to the shop so she can donate some of the shop's clothes to them.

Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rope Walk are also rallying to the family's aid.

Mrs Kath Emmett, who together with her husband set up a collection tin in the shop, said: "Customers have probably donated about £80 already and they have also been signing a card we have here.

"Most people are upset by it all. When this sort of thing happens on your doorstep it really hits home. People are coming from out of the area to make donations.

"Someone donated a buggy and one lady bought brand new things for the children."

Ester, who is five months pregnant, escaped the blaze along with Anton's brothers and sisters Joseph, eight, Tamara, five, Brendan, four and Star, two, plus their 14-year-old uncle Thomas.

The family is still in need of toys and other household goods.

n If you would like to help and have anything to donate please bring it to Ulster Avenue News.