A fundraising appeal for a family whose lives were torn apart by a devastating fire has exceeded its target four times over in just two days.

Ipswich Star: Firefighters working to tackle the blaze Picture: ARCHANTFirefighters working to tackle the blaze Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Alison Sargeant set up the collection to help her friends get back on their feet after their home in Ward Close, Hadleigh was destroyed in a blaze yesterday morning.

The family, made up a Wattisham Airfield solider, his wife and their three children aged 14, 12 and five, also lost their beloved red setter dog, Eddie, along with most of their possessions in the fire.

“They are traumatised if I’m honest and it’s sinking in but they are keeping it together,” Mrs Sargeant said.

Mrs Sargeant’s husband is also in the military and the two families were next door neighbours at a previous posting in Southampton.

They now live nearby within a community of Army quarters in Hadleigh.

Times of tragedy often bring out extraordinary displays of kindness in people and this is no exception.

Mrs Sargeant, 37, created a Just Giving page shortly after the fire happened with the ambition of raising £500 for the family, who do not wish to be named.

It is now sitting at more than £2,300.

“It’s still coming in thick and fast, it’s absolutely unbelievable,” said Mrs Sargeant.

“I had a target of £500 but to be honest I thought maybe we would get £250 and we thought at least we could get them shoes but to be at the amount it is at is astonishing.”

Members of the Hadleigh community have also been offering everything they can to help the family rebuild their lives.

Mrs Sargeant: “It has proved what a wonderful little village we live in and how everyone whether they know them or not has pulled in.”

One couple also contacted Mrs Sargeant to offer the family one of their Labradoodle puppies to help with the loss of Eddie.

Thanks to the fast action of the Army the family are moving into a new home in Hadleigh on Friday.

Mrs Sargeant added: “The Army welfare have really pulled it out the bag for them and the community as a whole and the military community have completely engulfed them in a big hug and they are being really looked after.”