Local businesses across Withernsea and the wider area have rallied round in the wake of the tragedy on the seafront last week, turning shock and sadness into practical support through fundraising, donations and simple acts of kindness for those affected.
Teresa Mansell, owner of Hair Taylor in Queen Street, has organised a raffle to raise money for the Withernsea lifeboat. Residents are being invited to buy tickets and local firms to donate prizes, with support already coming in from across Holderness and beyond.
Teresa said she initially set up the fundraiser as events unfolded and the scale of the tragedy became clear.
“I originally started the fundraiser from a feeling of helplessness as the scale of the tragedy unfolded. I thought it would just cover a few pints for the RNLI crew. A small thank you, really,” she said.
“But it very quickly became clear it was about something much bigger.
“A lot of people were feeling the same as me. We were wanting to do something – anything – to help. We feel incredibly grateful for the work our local volunteer crew do.
“That gratitude isn’t just for what they did last weekend, it’s for everything they do all year round, usually quietly and without fuss.
“In a town like ours, we all know someone connected to the RNLI or the emergency services. They’re not strangers, they’re neighbours, friends and family, and this was just a simple way for the community to show its support.”
She said the response from businesses had been overwhelming, with donations coming from small sole traders in Withernsea, Hedon and Hull, as well as larger companies, and more than 70 prizes pledged so far. Prizes include shopping vouchers, meals out and experiences, and Teresa said the focus was now on encouraging people to buy raffle tickets.
Tickets are available from the Gazette’s new office in 170 Queen Street, as well as Hair Taylor, Bloodsport Inc Tattoo, Goodwin Fox, the Card and Gift Shop, Pets Pawfection, Ellis’ Café, Holderness Hardware, Nineteen:2 Hairdressing, Roos, the Black Horse, Roos, the Purple Fish, Burstwick, and Magintys23 Keyingham.
Elsewhere, Walkers Removals has announced it will donate 25 per cent of every shop sale this week to RNLI Withernsea.
At the Card Shop, owner Liz Downing is inviting anyone who wishes to write a condolence message to do so in the shop. The cards will then be placed at the memorial free of charge.
Liz said she was closing up when the incident happened and immediately sensed something was wrong.
“I was actually locking up the shop when it happened and you could tell straight away that something terrible had occurred. It’s horrendous. The whole community is grieving,” she said.
“I honestly don’t know how the families deal with it. I think moments like this show how important it is for the community to come together, and it really shows the strength of this place.
“We’re not originally from here, but we’ve always said it’s one of the friendliest places we’ve ever known. We’ve been completely accepted into the community since opening the shop, and it just feels like something we must do like so many others nearby.
“We’ve always had a lifeboat collection tin, and there isn’t a huge amount we can do, but at least this feels like we’re doing something.
“You can’t change what’s happened, but this is about showing support. I don’t know how a family comes back from something like that. To go out for the day and never come home, it’s unthinkable.”
Around the Pier Towers, practical help has also been visible, with a police officer and volunteers from the TownSMART clean-up group scraping snow and ice from the steps to make them safer for people paying their respects.
As one resident put it, a sadness has fallen over the town, with many people holding their families a little closer at a reminder of how instantly life can change.