Grenfell survivors 'going through hell' as victims remembered six months on
Kensington and Chelsea councillors are warned to stay away from a St Paul's Cathedral service, where 71 victims are remembered.
Thursday 14 December 2017 10:46, UK
Heartbroken survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire say they are going through hell as they remember their friends and families six months after the tragedy.
A service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Thursday will remember the 71 people who lost their lives, and help those living in its aftermath to come together and "forget political tensions".
Ahmed Chellat witnessed the fire take hold of the tower from his flat opposite.
Trapped inside the building were five members of his family; Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, his wife Faouzia and children Yasin, Nurhuda and Mehdi. They did not survive.
"The last six months have been hell," he said. "I mean, can you imagine seeing the tower every night, coming up the stairs to my flat?
"When you look at it - sometimes you feel like there are people still there. It’s part of us - it’s become part of us and we will never forget it.
"The service today will make a huge difference in the community. It’s a moment where we have the opportunity to move on and we have to realise they’ve gone.
"It’s a day when we must forget all arguments and ups and downs, forget everything and remember the dead."
Some of the bereaved families have asked members of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council to stay away from the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Conservative-run council has faced criticism for its role in the disaster and its lack of action afterwards.
Cllr Elizabeth Campbell said: "It is only right that we respect the wishes of those involved in the service. It is being held for the people who lost everything on that terrible night six months ago, and it is in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.
"I want them to know that we will be thinking of them. We hope to rebuild trust, but we understand that we have a long way to go."
The council will be holding a minute silence at 11am in the council chamber at the town hall.
Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed she will attend the hour-long service, as will several members of the Royal family.
Jacqui Haynes, chairman of Lancaster West housing association, said the community will be focusing on coming together and not on who is in attendance.
She said: "We’re aware that there’ll be many people there who we might not have wished to spend that time with.
"But for us, it’s about coming together; it’s about sharing our grief, recognising the impact of the disaster, and just showing the world our strength.
"We are ready to try and rebuild this. And to make steps to make sure other people don’t have to ever experience this."
As part of the memorial service, a specially-commissioned banner incorporating the "Grenfell Heart" will be brought into the service and displayed throughout.