Cornwall's solidarity with Grenfell is stronger than ever two years on

The charity is encouraging schools and organisations everywhere to join Grenfell United’s initiative Green For Grenfell Day, which runs June 14-28.

Wearing green, including Grenfell United shirts depicting the green Grenfell heart and slogan ‘Forever in our hearts,’ the pupils and firefighters and Cornwall Hugs Grenfell were welcomed by Coxswain Patch Harvey on board Penlee Lifeboat.

They gathered to remember the 72 people who died, to stand in solidarity with those affected and to celebrate the community spirit which flourished after the tragedy, both in London and the furthest corners of the UK.

This show of solidarity comes on the back of a special relationship which has blossomed between Cornwall and Kensington through Cornwall Hugs Grenfell’s work since the fire.

Founder Esmé Page said: "We are constantly being told how divided we are as as society, but here are two communities hundreds of miles apart, with all kinds of apparent differences, bonding and supporting each other solidly, over two years."

CHG has brought more than 400 survivors, bereaved and firefighters to Cornwall for respite since the fire and more guests are booked in for the coming summer.

Esmé added: "More than ever now, Grenfell survivors need our solidarity.

"They’re fighting on all our behalf for safer housing, for flammable cladding to be removed from tower blocks and for an independent social housing regulator. By standing in solidarity in this way, we’re saying ‘we’re still with you’. In a small way, we are boosting their voice."

Year 5 and 6 children from Pensans Primary School, Penzance, went green last year for Green for Grenfell Day and will do so again this year. Grenfell United has set a two-week window for schools to ‘go green’, June 14-28, and schools packs are available via www.grenfellunited.org.uk/greenforgrenfell

This year’s nationwide Green For Grenfell Day assembly pack includes the video of Cornwall Hugs’ song of solidarity, ‘Grenfell From Today’, by Philip Stopford, filmed with survivors in Cornwall and London.

The Pensans children were moved by the film, showing empathy for their peers in London, 300 miles away.

One pupil, Perran, in Year 6, said: "I think we should show respect and loyalty to these people who have lost their homes, everything.

"It made me feel sad, because I would hate to be separated from my parents for life."

The song video directed by Paul Caddis and sung by Truro Cathedral Choir Choristers can be seen at www.cornwallhugsgrenfell.org/grenfell-from-today

Scarlet, also Year 6, spoke of her vivid memories of watching the news in 2017: "It made me upset, because losing people is really upsetting. I sat up and watched the whole thing on the news."

Esmé reflected on the continued impact of Grenfell Tower Fire on children: "It is clear, two years on, that Grenfell Tower Fire is etched on the memories of a whole generation of children right across the UK.

"I think Green For Grenfell Day is a powerful initiative, not only in helping them explore solidarity and the positive legacy of community spirit, but also in giving a forum for this ‘Post-Grenfell generation’ to make sense of what they saw, and the causes behind it."

Penlee Lifeboat, a partner of Cornwall Hugs Grenfell has welcomed nearly 40 of the charity’s Grenfell guests and last May organised a memorial at sea for survivors to remember their loved ones.

Penlee Lifeboat Coxswain, Patch Harvey, said: "It’s been a privilege to team up with Cornwall Hugs Grenfell and welcome so many Grenfell survivors on board.

"We’re proud to ‘go green’ – to stand shoulder to shoulder with Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, Grenfell United, the local firefighters and the children and show our solidarity."

Green Watch at Penzance Community Fire-station, which also welcomed firefighters from North Kensington Fire Station for respite in 2017, joined the school children and lifeboat crew to show their continued support of the Grenfell community.