A woman from Irvine has stepped in to help a family left homeless after the devastating tornado that tore through London, Kentucky, offering more than just sympathy, she’s giving them a place to call home.
Brittany Kelley, originally from Mount Vernon but now living in Irvine, was deeply moved by the destruction caused by the tornado that recently ravaged parts of London. The storm, which left many families with nothing, prompted widespread support across neighbouring towns.
“It’s horrible. It broke my heart. I couldn’t imagine having to go through that. It’s sad, very sad,” Kelley shared, reflecting on the tragedy.
Kelley and her husband had a two-bedroom, two-bath mobile home sitting unused in their front yard. It was once their residence, and they had planned to sell it. But after seeing the aftermath of the tornado, Kelley changed her mind. She turned to Facebook and offered it for free.
The generous offer gained traction quickly. Over 800 shares later, Kelley had dozens of messages flooding in.
“I didn’t want to, like, be picky and choosy, so I kind of just went down the line with whoever contacted me first and went from there,” she explained.
The mobile home is now set to be donated to a mother of four who lost her home in the disaster. As a fellow mum of four, Kelley felt an immediate connection.
“I have four littles that I stay at home with 24/7. So as far as getting out there and being able to actually help with the clean-up and stuff, I’m not able to do it, but I can at least do this,” she said.
Though the trailer is ready, moving it is a different matter. Relocating the home from Irvine to London — and ensuring it meets safety standards — comes with a cost. And it’s a steep one.
“I’ve had people offer to do it from like $300, that’s no footers being poured, all the way up to like $7500,” Kelley noted. “I have the home, but I don’t have that. And of course, she just lost everything, so she has nothing.”
To help cover the relocation and setup costs, Kelley has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Every penny raised will go towards providing this family with a safe and secure place to live.
Kelley admits the mobile home needs work. It’s not brand new, but it’s something — a start, a shelter, a chance to rebuild.
“It makes my heart warm, like, I’m glad to be able to do it. If I can do it, I want to do it,” she said.
In a time of loss, it’s people like Kelley who remind us of the power of community and compassion.
