‘The whole town puts its arms around us after house fire took everything’

A quick thinking neighbour only just managed to save Julie Brewster’s daughter from the blaze just after 11am on January 8. However everything else was lost including their dog.

A fundraising page which was set up to help the family closed last night after raising over £28,000.

Ms Brewster, who was out of the house at the time of the fire, came back to find her daughter, who was asleep, had been sleeping, had been saved by quick-thinking neighbour Conard McCullagh.

Another daughters rang his doorbell for help in saving her sister.

Mr McCullagh, who is also an RNLI volunteer, quickly grabbed his ladder and an axe.

“Luckily the girl inside had woken up and realised there was a fire.,” he said. When she got to the window, her face was black with smoke and I was able to carry her down the ladder to safety.”

Julie said: “Portrush welcomed me into the community in 1995 when I knew no-one. Over the years I have built up fantastic lifelong friendships, and now it feels like they have put their arms around me and my family in so many ways with offers of clothing, furniture, food and help.

“This is especially moving when I know people have got their own troubles and are waiting patiently themselves for a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Julie’s daughter who was rescued said: “We’re so blessed to have neighbours who have supported and helped us our whole lives and now have saved my life”.

Independent Councillor Stephanie Quigley who, along with Sophie Irwin and Paula Rogers, who set up the appeal said, “We don’t have words to express the depth of our gratitude for what our local community and farther afield, have achieved.”

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