A fundraiser launched to support the households affected by a "devastating" fire in the Sandyford and Goldenhill area of Stoke-on-Trent, has raised almost £10,000.

On Thursday 13 August, firefighters tackled a large fire that affected a number of properties and gardens in the Sandy Road area.

Following the fire, Samantha Dawson launched a fundraiser on Go Fund Me to help the local residents to "rebuild what they have lost".

The fundraiser has now raised £9,132 for the affected households – smashing the original target of £3,000.

Samantha said: "This is devastating, that residents have lost their homes and belongings in a split second. It's heartbreaking.

"My best friend lives nearby, so I just wanted to help raise funds for those affected."

All of the donations from the page will be transferred to Goldenhill Community Centre - which was open during the fire to provide support to local residents.

Samantha added: "I hope these donations give the people affected a start to rebuild what they have lost. Although some things will be irreplaceable."

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Local resident, David Reeves, also set up a fundraiser and is now planning to add the money that he raised into the page set up by Samantha - who he says has done "magnificently".

David, who lives a few streets away from where the fire took place, said that the success of the fundraiser demonstrated how the local area is a place where "the community comes together".

Following the fire, he said: "It's sort of like a piece of your heart going missing."

He now hopes to 'do his bit' for the community by supporting the fundraising efforts.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit the Go Fund Me page here.