Family of toddler killed in house fire given �2,000 raised by town

MORE than �2,000 has been raised for the family of a toddler who was killed in a fire at their home.

There have been a series of events held recently to generate the money after Leo Messam died a week before his second birthday following the fire in Crewe.

Mother Charlotte Banks, father Taurean Messam and brothers Tyrese aged three and four-month-old Dannon, managed to flee the smoke-logged house in Myrtle Street on November 21, but have been unable to return to the property and are staying with Leo's grandparents.

And Elvis tribute artist Paul Larcombe staged a special show on Christmas Eve to help raise funds for Leo's family.

Paul, from Crewe, who performed for free in a function room at Crewe Alexandra, said he wanted to do something to help.

He added: "I don't normally work Christmas Eve, but this was an exception to the rule.

"I'm just happy to be able to help and we've raised a good amount of money."

Paul is the only U.K. artist to be officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland.

And Carmen Messam, Taurean's cousin, told The Sentinel: "It was a fantastic night. We managed to raise �800 which was given to Charlotte and Taurean on the night.

"We had a good turnout. There was one lady who had been to Graceland 27 times.

"Paul was very entertaining and had all the ladies on the dancefloor.

"We just wanted to raise as much as we could to help Taurean and Charlotte and the boys."

Carmen said the family was ready to move into a new home Cheshire East Council had found in Wistaston.

"Obviously they'll need new bits and pieces as most things were destroyed in the fire," she added. "We all can't thank the people of Crewe enough for their help."

A pre-Christmas balloon release in the town's Municipal Square raised �1,300, while cash donations have come in from a number of business and individuals including staff at Bentley Motors, the Millcroft Medical Centre, the Express pub in Mill Street and Nantwich Lions.

Ruskin Sports College and Sir William Stanier School have also made collections.

Cheshire Police have renewed an appeal to find thieves who broke into the home where Leo's parents and brothers have been staying. The raiders stole a Nintendo Wii, plus a laptop containing treasured photographs of Leo, in Culland Street, Crewe, in the early hours of December 18. Call Crewe CID on 0845 458 0000 or alternatively Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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