Concert set to help people affected by Waterloo Road blaze

A professional Fylde coast singer has organised a concert to help raise funds for those affected by the devastating Waterloo Road blaze in Blackpool last month.

Janet Ridsdale, who is known by the stage name Jan Munroe, said she visited the scene of the blaze and felt so sorry for those who lost their homes that she was determined to help.

She has organised a fundraising concert at Layton Institute, Layton Road, on Sunday April 12 at 7.30pm.

Several businesses were decimated by the ferocious fire which ripped through the Smart Mart building at around 11.30pm on February, Friday 6.

The fire ravaged not only Smart Mart and Smart Play but neighbouring businesses on the block – the Pitstop Community café, the Omoto Caribbean Shop, the Premier shop and a new restaurant which was all set to open.

A number of families living close to the scene were also forced out of their homes, leaving them displaced.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service dispatched 15 fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms, a drone unit and a command support to tackle the massive blaze.

Janet, who lives in Thornton said: “If that had happened to my family I’d be devastated for them. It really upset me.

“I have a lot of contacts in the local entertainment business and I decided the best way I could help was to put on a show and raise funds that way.

“When I was working in Tenerife I did a lot of charity shows and the support from the expat community was amazing. These events can do a lot of good and entertain people nat the same time.

“The singers and entertainers on the bill at Layton are all giving their time freely and do not want t be paid. We all want to raise as much as we can for he cause.

“I can’t thank them enough for supporting me. It will be a great night of entertainment for a good cause.”

Janet has heard that a fundraiser (Waterloo Road Fire Community Fundraising) has been set up to support residents and businesses affected by the fire, raising funds for necessities, with donations providing items like blow-up beds, clothing, toys, and toiletries for those impacted.

She is currently trying to contact the organisers to ensure the money raised can go to those affected.

She added: “If they have stopped fundraising,  an alternative option would be the Bobby Ball Foundation, which raisies funds for local charities.”

Performing on the night will be Janet herself (as Jan Munroe), Jamie Rae, Donna Reid, Irene Silva, Lewis Sax, Bex Franklin, Travellin’ Strings and Katy Connelly.

All tickets are £5, payable on the door; there will also be a raffle, tombola and donation buckets. The doors open at 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Blackpool Council said last week: “We are continuing to support residents who require temporary housing and are in contact with those in the affected area who require support.

“If you have a housing need and haven’t spoken to us, or if your circumstances have since changed, please send us a Facebook inbox message with your name and address and we will follow up with the relevant teams.”