June 14th has become the most important day in my broadcasting calendar. It is the day where 72 people died unnecessarily in the worst fire post the 2nd World War. The litany of failures is an undeniable consequence of rampant capitalism and a system not fit for purpose.
When I naively took my drive time show to North Kensington that afternoon, I had no idea what I would see and how I would be affected. Before I continue, whatever I feel is insignificant compared to those who lost loved ones. They have my admiration for holding on to hope. It is the glue which holds the communities together.
Grenfell Tower was still burning and there were people in deep distress waiting, hoping loved ones would emerge from the “Tomb In The Sky”. There was no support, no officials, no help save charities like Muslim Aid who even offered me water.
I went back the next day and saw the best of humanity. People had watched the awful scenes from their homes all around the country and did whatever they could. They stepped in when the people charged with emergency response were perceived to be asleep on the job. It is to this day the greatest thing I have seen outside of my children being born and bring joy to my heart and tears to my eyes.
I have been back (covid allowing) every year since. A weird thing I learned is that the whole team bar me had gone for workplace therapy since covering that tragedy. Wish I’d known.I promised that so long as I kept that job, I’d do what I could to keep the story alive and arduous though the journey is, for me it is the best way to support not just the people of Grenfell but the increasing number of stories I’m covering of people in social housing being treated “less than”
