MORE than £10,300 has been raised for a club steward who lost everything in the fire that destroyed the Bromham Social Centre Club and The Owl community pub yesterday.

More than 290 people have donated so far to help Adam Dempsey who lived in the flat above and now has lost everything.

Stacey Wall launched the crowdfunding appeal with an initial target of £5,000 but the response quickly smashed through that total and currently stands at £10,367.

Mr Dempsey, 34, literally escaped the fire with just the clothes he was wearing and his mobile phone in his trouser pocket.

Stacey said: “This fund is to help him get back on his feet, providing him with money to buy emergency clothes/supplies etc and replace things that he needs/the insurance won’t.

“Adam is the kindest most caring person I know - who is always helping others - please support if you can.”

Mr Dempsey spent the night with his mother Sandra Drake and said: “I can’t thank everyone enough for their massively generous donations.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with messages and offers of help today and I don’t think it’s all actually sunk in yet but I know will get through it all with so many supportive friends and family.”

He said: “I was working in my office when there was a power cut. I went to find out why and that’s when I heard the smoke alarms.

“I have lost everything apart from the clothes I was wearing and my mobile phone that was in my pocket.”

He says he has been “inundated” with offers of sofas and spare rooms from friends and other villagers who have offered support.

“It has been amazing. I have even had phone calls from people that I have not spoken to in a long while.”

The fire started at around 10am yesterday when roofers renovating a flat roof over the centre’s skittle alley accidentally set fire to a bird’s nest.

The roofers started work on Thursday last week to renovate the roof after Bromham Parish Council, which owns the centre, reported it was leaking water.

Devastated villagers say the centre is the ‘social hub’ of their local community and that it is used for events ranging from weddings and christenings to birthday and anniversary parties.

One unlucky couple will be forced to rearrange their wedding reception which was due to take place in the centre next Saturday. A family christening was also booked to take place.

One local, Lee Napier, 41, of The Pound, said he had used the centre ever since going there as a toddler.

“I used to go to pre-school there and to Cubs and Scouts and later to play pool and darts with my friends and to adult family discos. “It had a skittle alley, a juke box, a darts board and a pool table.

“I have a covers rock band and we used to play there around three times a year,” he said.

Mr Napier added: “it’s a real shame. We hope it will be rebuilt. It is used a lot.”

To donate to the appeal, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adamdempsey