Rita Ora hands out supplies to Grenfell Tower victims
Strangers and celebrities including singer Rita Ora helped through the night to help get urgent supplies to the desperate Grenfell Tower fire victims as three appeals raised more than £1million in just 24 hours.
Companies, individuals and charities sprang into action to help those in need of food, water, clothes and shelter after yesterday's fire in North Kensington, West London, which killed 12 people and left scores more injured.
Ora, 26, said on Instagram: 'This is my neighbourhood, I can't believe this is happening. My prayers are with everybody involved, my heart is beating so fast. I used to play in that block, I want to do all I can do to help.'
The former X Factor judge posted a video of herself among black sacks of donations, including clothes, water and food, at one of the help points. She also posted an image of the tower, and wrote 'RIP' on Snapchat.
Adele also visited the scene of the fire last night. The star, who was born in Tottenham, North London, appeared emotional and was dressed in black. Meanwhile singer Lily Allen has offered refuge for people who are in need.
An appeal on JustGiving launched by mother-of-two Karolina Hanusova, a volunteer at The Rugby Portbello Trust, raised £297,000 while another set up by teacher Hayley Yearwood has generated £473,000 by 8.30am today.
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Celebrities including Rita Ora helped through the night to help get urgent supplies to the Grenfell Tower fire victims
Ora was on hand to help after yesterday's fire in North Kensington, West London, which killed 12 people and left more injured
Ora, 26, said it was her neighbourhood and her 'prayers are with everybody involved, my heart is beating so fast'
One JustGiving page set up for the fire victims by local teacher Hayley Yearwood has generated £473,000 by 8am today
An appeal on JustGiving launched by mother Karolina Hanusova, a volunteer at The Rugby Portbello Trust, raised £295,000
Adele also visited the scene of the fire last night. The Tottenham-born star appeared emotional and was dressed in black
Meanwhile a London Evening Standard fundraising page as part of its wider Dispossessed Fund had raised £283,000 as of 6am today. The community fund has generated £18million since its inception seven years ago.
The three appeals had more than 30,000 supporters between them, with messages left including 'My heart goes out to all those that had to gone through this' and 'A terrible tragedy. My heart cries for all those lives lost'.
David Holdsworth, chief operating officer at the Charity Commission, has urged people to give to registered causes. He said: 'We are saddened to hear of the tragic events in West London.
'There are many registered charities on the ground doing what they do best to assist those who have been affected.
'We are urging members of the public that wish to make donations to check that they give to a registered charity in order to best support those affected, and also importantly to check with those charities what support they need - whether that is money, time or other essential supplies.'
Shoes are laid out on a sports court this morning for victims of the fire in North Kensington, West London
Huge amounts of donations have been received by the community in North Kensington following the terrifying blaze
Up to 600 people including children and the elderly had to spend the night in emergency accommodation in West London
Hundreds more people from surrounding properties that have been included in the cordon around Grenfell Tower have also been left homeless because of the disaster (pictured, Westway Sport and Fitness Centre)
Westway Sport and Fitness Centre has been turned into an emergency rest centre while surrounding mosques and community centres are also accepting those with nowhere else to go
As well as official rescue centres, Facebook users have been offering spare beds to those affected by the fire as London opens its doors to the victims of the fire
Bedding, toiletries and food donated by hundreds of well-wishers is laid out inside a temporary shelter in West London as hundreds of people face being homeless
Ms Hanusova said: 'I know families affected. We're raising funds to help the residents of the burned down Grenfell Tower, London, W11 to get back on their feet.'
Ms Yearwood said: 'I am a teacher at a local school and know that many of our students and their families will be affected by this awful fire. It is a really close-knit community and the trauma will be felt for years to come. I'd like to help in any way possible.
'We're raising £1,000,000 to help the families of Grenfell Tower, West London who have been devastated by a fire which has destroyed their homes and taken loved ones.'
Up to 600 people including children and the elderly are now homeless after their flats were destroyed.
Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council said 44 out of 120 households have been placed in emergency accommodation and housing officers will be working through the night to provide assistance to those in need.
Those who are unable to return to their homes in the surrounding area because of fire damage have been told a rest centre has been established at Westway Sports Centre, near the scene of the blaze.
Donations of food and drink poured in following the disaster and local authorities eventually told people to stop coming because they could not deal with the influx
Clothes, shoes, and other essentials were also brought to the area as people tried to help in any way they could
Dozens of bags and hundreds of items were donated in just a few short hours after the scale of the devastation became clear (pictured, donations at Latymer Church)
Celebrities such as Jeremy Clarkson and Jamie Oliver encouraged fans to donate anything they could to the victims
Donations flooded in as police announced that at least 12 people died in the apartment building after the fire took hold
Meanwhile local mosques, residents and community centres from across the capital have thrown open their doors - offering beds, clothes, food and other essentials to the victims.
So many kind-hearted strangers rushed to the scene that council workers have asked people to stop coming due to overcrowding and instead send cash donations.
Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson has urged members of the public to donate clothes to residents of Grenfell Tower following the fire which has claimed at least 12 lives.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver wrote online that his restaurant in Westfield, Shepherd's Bush – which is just 1.5 miles from the inferno – will provide free food and drink to those affected by the blaze.
Film director Noel Clarke was at the scene of the blaze and said he came down as he feared for his mother who lives '50 yards' from Grenfell Tower.
He said: 'My relatives live here, I grew up here, my films are set here, my friends live here, one of my friend's nieces is still missing.
Council workers said last night that they did not need any more donations following an overwhelming response
Members of the community used whatever they could to take food and other essentials to help the victims of the tragedy
Dozens of kind-hearted strangers have rushed to the scene of the inferno, in West London, to donate food, drinks and clothing
Hundreds of people have donated money online to the British Red Cross and a number of crowdfunders which have been set up for the victims
'I was on my way into town and I knew I had to come and help so I have been here carrying water inside the church. I've got clothes being delivered by a couple of labels and Pepsi are going to be sending drinks.'
The former Dr Who and Kidulthood star added: 'The community support has been great. London has been affected by a lot in the past few weeks and the way people are coming together is amazing.'
He refused to comment on accusations the building was poorly managed and added: 'I don't want to talk about politics, what's important now is helping the people'.
And broadcaster Emma Freud offered to open up her own home by any of the hundreds of families left displaced by the fire.
Clarkson posted on Facebook: 'Everything that was clean in my wardrobe has been donated. Please try and do the same thing.'
Three support centres have been opened nearby for members of the public to donate clothes, toys, and toiletries.
A man hands out refreshments near the tower block severely damaged by the massive fire
Dozens of kind-hearted strangers have rushed to the scene of the inferno, in West London, to donate food, drinks and clothing, while hundreds more have donated money online
Volunteers categorize clothing donations by type and size outside one of the community centres helping those affected
Residents of London have shown their generosity by descending one the Maxilla Social Club with clothing, food, water and blankets for the residents of the block who will have lost everything
At least 12 people are dead, with the death toll expected to rise, following the inferno yesterday morning in West London
Rugby Portobello Trust, St Clement's Church and Tabernacle Christian Centre are all open to provide help and accept donations.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said there is a rest centre at Harrow Centre, Freston Road, while nearby St Clements Church was collecting clothes, food and water for those affected - many of whom had been forced to escape the building in their night clothes.
The chairman of Queens Park Rangers said he was making sure the Shepherd's Bush stadium, at Loftus Road, could also be used as a centre.
Tony Fernandes tweeted: 'Our community team will be mobilised. We will do whatever.'
As well as opening up the ground providing teas and coffees and shelter, the ground is also been used as a donation point for clothes, blankets and bedding.
Members of the QPR Community Trust have also been working directly at Grenfell Tower with the relief effort.
Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson has urged members of the public to donate clothes to residents of Grenfell Tower following the fire which has claimed at least 12 lives
A man arrives with refreshments near the tower block severely damaged by a serious fire
Volunteers have been working for two days to sort through donated clothes and food
Some of the dozens of bags of donated clothing given by generous Londoners to those who lost their possessions in the fire
Volunteers sort through the clothes brought in by well wishers following the fire in west London overnight
The club issued a statement on its website, saying: 'Those looking to donate clothing and blankets to the relief effort can do so at Loftus Road.'
A youth and children's charity based near the block of flats has also stepped in and offered help.
The Rugby Portobello Trust said they are 'with many of the residents' and have asked people to 'hold off on dropping anything to RPT until we can put together a list of what is needed'.
Former England rugby player Will Greenwood had urged the public to send emergency provisions to the trust, at 221 Walmer Road.
The group also set up a Facebook event, urging people able to offer space in their homes to come forward.
The British Red Cross said its volunteers were also at the scene, with volunteers providing practical help and emotional support at a rest centre.
A little girl takes a sandwich from one of the many volunteers who are helping those left homeless by the fire
And broadcaster Emma Freud offered to open up her own home by any of the hundreds of families left displaced by the fire
A volunteer hands out sandwiches to those who have been left homeless by the blaze
Volunteers bring donations of hot food and clothing to those who have been made homeless by the Grenfell Tower fire
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver wrote online that his restaurant in Westfield, Shepherd's Bush – which is just 1.5 miles from the inferno – will provide free food and drink to those affected by the blaze
Meanwhile, a number of individuals have reached out via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help to those affected.
One woman, named Giselle, tweeted: 'Just called [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea] @RBKC and left my details. They are looking for emergency housing. I have offered my place. Do the same if you can £Grenfell'
Instagram user co.-lams posted an image reading: 'Any residents of Grenfell Tower or Lancaster West Estate who need a local place to stay DM me.'
Many others posted on the Rugby Portobello Trust event with contact details for accommodation.
Phone company EE have said people are welcome to use their stores in the local area if they need to contact anyone or use social media.
They said the stores on Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, Queensway and the two in White City are closest to the incident.
People gather at the Rugby Portobello Trust office in London where supplies are being distributed to victims of the Grenfall tower block fire
Members of many different communities have banded together to support the victims
A QPR spokesman said: 'We are in dialogue with Kensington & Chelsea Council to see if we can assist the relief effort.
'We have made suggestions as to how we can assist and are currently awaiting guidance.
'We have suggested using Loftus Road as a relief centre for the emergency services and those affected, and also as a drop-off centre for clothes and provisions.'
The ambulance service say 20 people are in a critical condition and 54 have been hospitalised after the Grenfell Tower fire.
The London Ambulance Service said 64 of the victims were taken by ambulance to 12 hospitals across London, with the remaining ten having made their own way to A&E.
A woman carries water near a tower block severely damaged by the massive fire
Volunteers carry dozens of bottles of water into the cordoned off area for victims of the blaze
Grenfell tower block in West London where at least 12 people died following the fire during the early hours of yesterday
This terrifying picture capture the moment burning debris fall from the inferno at the Grenfell tower block
London Ambulance Service Director of Operations Paul Woodrow said: 'Following this morning's fire at Grenfell Tower, West London, we have treated and taken 64 patients to six hospitals across London, where 20 people are currently in critical care.
'Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Over 100 of our medics have been working hard to respond to this incident, including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, advanced trauma teams from London's Air Ambulance and those staff managing the incident in our special operations centre.
'Our hazardous area response teams are also on scene, who carry specialist equipment including breathing apparatus. We've been treating patients for a range of injuries, as well as for smoke inhalation.
'A major incident has been declared and we continue to work closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene.
'Members of the public who are concerned about friends and relatives should contact the police Casualty Bureau on 0800 096 1233. We urge Londoners to only call us in a genuine emergency and to call NHS 111 for urgent healthcare advice.'