Family 'overwhelmed' by gifts

The couple have three young children

When fire gutted the Kavanagh's Leicestershire home, the family anticipated a miserable Christmas.

But instead they have been overwhelmed by donations.

Paul and Joanne Kavanagh's house at Barwell was ruined just before Christmas.

Mr Kavanagh was hospitalised after saving his children from the fire.

We've been in tears quite a lot

Joanne Kavanagh

He said: "Actually it's been absolutely fantastic with all the help from everybody and all the presents for the children - it's been brilliant, it really has."

Family, friends, companies and complete strangers have donated gifts, including clothes and toys for the Kavanagh children, Jade, Ashley and Holly.

"We never expected anything like this at all," he said.

"It's amazing that people are still generous these days."

Mrs Kavanagh said: "We've been in tears quite a lot... we have been overwhelmed so much by people's kindness and generosity."

Among the donors was the Leicestershire Fire Service, which used more than £500 from their Rudolph appeal to buy presents for the family.

The family is now living in rented accommodation at Burbage.

It will be at least six months before they can move back home.