Lives in a Landscape

Care for Claire


Listen Later

Lives in a Landscape reports from Penistone, where Claire Throssell is being helped by her community after her sons were killed by their father in a house fire exactly a year ago.

As well as killing his sons and himself, Darren Sykes also destroyed much of the house, lighting fires throughout the terraced home and luring his boys into the loft with the promise of a new train set. He had cancelled the home insurance before the blaze and Claire faced both the devastating loss of her sons and also the terrible reminder in a home she couldn't sell because of such extensive fire damage.

Local people wanted to stand firm against such 'evil', according to a local singer and archivist, Dave Cherry, who has helped raise money. Teams of volunteers organised by Reverend David Hopkins at St John's Church and both the Rotary and 41 Clubs, have overseen the rebuilding of the home.

Whilst nothing will replace her loss, Claire tells Alan Dein that such community support has helped her focus on creating a legacy for her sons. Jack, who was 12 when he died, was a promising trumpet player and his younger brother, Paul, was only nine and already showing considerable athletic talent. She has set up awards in their name and wants to ensure that their lives are remembered.

The volunteer project manager is Ged Brearley, who has coordinated 480 plus volunteer hours and manages a core team of 40 through house clearance, stripping back the walls to complete rewiring, re-plastering and re-plumbing.

Dave Cherry was one of the first to offer to help: "That man destroyed everything. Her house, her kids and her life. If we don't do anything then he wins. If we can help this lass then we can stop him from winning."

Producer Susan Mitchell.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Lives in a LandscapeBy BBC Radio 4

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

1 ratings


More shows like Lives in a Landscape

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,849 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,070 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,565 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,804 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,763 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,057 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,967 Listeners

F1: Chequered Flag by BBC Radio 5 Live

F1: Chequered Flag

776 Listeners

Open Country by BBC Radio 4

Open Country

87 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,218 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

782 Listeners