THE family of a Wirral boat repairer whose workshop was destroyed in an arson attack have praised the community for their 'overwhelming support' following the fire..
Alan Tolley's 40-year-old business came to an end last Wednesday when his premises near Hoylake Rugby Club were reduced to ashes in the blaze.
In the days following, the Globe and Mr Tolley's family have been contacted with offers of money, shelving and tools and a new shed to try to get the 71-year-old back in business.
Island Electrical in Market Street, Hoylake have launched a fundraising campaign to help rebuild his workshop and buy woodworking tools. To donate, you can visit the shop.
Mr Tolley's family have also set up a justgiving page after requests from the public.
The boatshed which was destroyed last week
Alan's daughter Elaine Farrell said: "The support we've had has been lovely, completely overwhelming.
"We'd like to thank everyone who has contacted us and donated.
"Someone has even offered to build dad a new shed so he can carry on with the work, all he needs to do is find a suitable piece of land.
"We were at Hoylake Lifeboat Day on Monday and had a lot of people coming up to dad, telling him how sorry they were about what happened. He said 'don't, I'll start crying again'."
Alan Tolley surveys the shed which was destroyed last week
With tears in his eyes as he surveyed what was left of his repair shed, Alan, 71, told the Globe last week: "The business took 40 years to build and half-an-hour to burn down.
"I just can't believe what's happened.
"Everything has been destroyed, including welding gear, woodwork making equipment.
"It's nothing that can be repaired easily or quickly."
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the blaze.
Alan was second coxswain at Hoylake Lifeboat Station until his retirement 18 years ago and served his time as a boatbuilder at the long-gone Bond's in Rock Ferry.
He added: "There was a comment on a Facebook which said 'Look what we've done; we've set fire to Hoylake'
"I'd like whoever did this to go through the same thing and suffer the loss I have.
"But I really want to thank the community for their support."
If anyone has information regarding the arson attack they should call police on 101.
To donate to visit the justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Toolsfortolley
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here