14/12/2017

0:00:09 > 0:00:13Hello, it's Thursday, it's 9am, I'm Victoria Derbyshire.

0:00:13 > 0:00:21This morning, we're at St Paul's Cathedral where members

0:00:21 > 0:00:23of the royal family and the Prime Minister will join families

0:00:23 > 0:00:26of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire for a memorial service,

0:00:26 > 0:00:29six months after the devastating fire which killed 71 people.

0:00:29 > 0:00:32Throughout the programme, we'll be joined by those

0:00:32 > 0:00:34who survived the fire and will be attending today's memorial

0:00:34 > 0:00:38as they prepare for their first Christmas since the disaster.

0:00:38 > 0:00:48It's not going to be a happy time.

0:00:54 > 0:01:00Christmas is meant for a family to be together.

0:01:00 > 0:01:04We will hear tributes to some of the loved ones who died that night on

0:01:04 > 0:01:06the 14th of June.

0:01:06 > 0:01:11I, Betty, cry every night for you, Mary and Khadija.

0:01:11 > 0:01:14All the advice you gave me and my children will stay with us

0:01:14 > 0:01:23for the rest of our lives.

0:01:31 > 0:01:36Good morning. A frosty morning in central London, outside St Paul's

0:01:36 > 0:01:39Cathedral. Over the next couple of hours, 1500 invited guests will make

0:01:39 > 0:01:43their way inside for the national memorial service and we will be

0:01:43 > 0:01:48talking to some of them over the next couple of hours. Let us bring

0:01:48 > 0:01:54you the BBC News so far today.

0:01:54 > 0:01:57A memorial service is being held at St Paul's Cathedral this morning

0:01:57 > 0:01:59for the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower

0:01:59 > 0:02:00fire in West London.

0:02:00 > 0:02:0271 people were killed when the fire tore

0:02:02 > 0:02:04through the tower block, six months ago today.

0:02:04 > 0:02:06Prince Charles, Prince William and Theresa May will be

0:02:06 > 0:02:14among the 2,000 people who are expected to attend.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone in the Met with people who

0:02:18 > 0:02:23lost their lives and their loved ones. Also those people who lived in

0:02:23 > 0:02:28Grenfell Tower and those who escaped, those who have lost their

0:02:28 > 0:02:32homes and the local community. It is the most appalling tragedy. Our

0:02:32 > 0:02:34thoughts are with them.

0:02:34 > 0:02:36Theresa May is due at a summit in Brussels,

0:02:36 > 0:02:38hours after Conservative rebels in the Commons defeated

0:02:38 > 0:02:40the Government in a key Brexit vote.

0:02:40 > 0:02:43MPs backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a vote

0:02:43 > 0:02:45on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.

0:02:45 > 0:02:48One rebel, Stephen Hammond, was sacked by the Prime Minister

0:02:48 > 0:02:58as a party vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote.

0:02:59 > 0:03:03A third person has been charged with the murder of four children who died

0:03:03 > 0:03:08in a house fire in Salford on Monday. A 25-year-old man from the

0:03:08 > 0:03:12area has also been charged with attempted murder and arson.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14The medical charity, MSF, says it believes more than six

0:03:14 > 0:03:17and a half thousand Rohingya Muslims were killed in the violence that

0:03:17 > 0:03:18began in Myanmar in late August.

0:03:18 > 0:03:21The estimate is based on interviews with some of the six hundred

0:03:21 > 0:03:24thousand Rohingyas who've fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

0:03:24 > 0:03:28The Burmese armed forces have stated that about four hundred people died,

0:03:28 > 0:03:32describing most of them as Muslim terrorists.

0:03:32 > 0:03:35The Hollywood actor Salma Hayek has become the latest

0:03:35 > 0:03:39celebrity to accuse Harvey Weinstein of harassment.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42In an article for the New York Times, she wrote that the film

0:03:42 > 0:03:44producer threatened to kill her and described him as

0:03:45 > 0:03:46a "rage fuelled monster".

0:03:46 > 0:03:56A spokesperson for Mr Weinstein disputed the actor's account.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59British doctors said they had made a significant breakthrough in the

0:03:59 > 0:04:06treatment of haemophilia A. Around 6000 people in the UK have the

0:04:06 > 0:04:12defect meaning their blood cannot clot properly. The research team

0:04:12 > 0:04:18used gene therapy to correct the defect in a small safety trial. All

0:04:18 > 0:04:23the 13 patients who took part no longer need treatment. Health

0:04:23 > 0:04:25Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the NHS in England will become the first

0:04:25 > 0:04:29health care system in the world to publish the numbers of death of

0:04:29 > 0:04:36patients caused in their care. The data will be published on avoidable

0:04:36 > 0:04:42deaths by the end of the year the data to follow soon afterwards. Up

0:04:42 > 0:04:48to 9000 people die each because of problems and failures in NHS care.

0:04:48 > 0:04:53That is a summary of the latest BBC News. More a bit later. Time for the

0:04:53 > 0:04:55sport now.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58The crucial third Ashes Test has begun at the WACA in Perth

0:04:58 > 0:05:00with England needing to avoid defeat to keep their hopes

0:05:00 > 0:05:01of retaining the urn alive.

0:05:01 > 0:05:07Having won the toss and chosing to bat, it's been a steady

0:05:07 > 0:05:09start so far for England, but they lost Alastair

0:05:09 > 0:05:10Cook for just seven.

0:05:10 > 0:05:12Marc Stoneman showed there was some fight with a 58

0:05:12 > 0:05:14before he was controversially dismissed.

0:05:14 > 0:05:18James Vince and Joe Root reached the 20s,

0:05:18 > 0:05:25but Dawid Malan helped England past the 200 mark with his half century.

0:05:25 > 0:05:30England are now 253-4 in their first innings.

0:05:30 > 0:05:32The four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has told

0:05:32 > 0:05:34the BBC he understands people will be cynical

0:05:34 > 0:05:37but insists his legacy won't be tainted, after it emerged he had

0:05:37 > 0:05:40double the allowed level of a legal asthma drug in his urine

0:05:40 > 0:05:42following a test during the Vuelta de Espana, which he

0:05:42 > 0:05:43won, in September.

0:05:43 > 0:05:46Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, wants more details

0:05:46 > 0:05:50from the team but Froome has not been suspended.

0:05:50 > 0:05:53Manchester City have extended their winning

0:05:53 > 0:05:56Premier League run to a record breaking 15 games by hammering

0:05:56 > 0:06:01struggling Swansea 4-0.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04All the football stories on the BBC Sport website and app.

0:06:04 > 0:06:05Good morning.

0:06:05 > 0:06:06This morning, we're broadcasting live

0:06:06 > 0:06:10from St Paul's Cathedral ahead of a national memorial services

0:06:10 > 0:06:13for the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.

0:06:13 > 0:06:16It was exactly six months ago today that a small blaze spread rapidly

0:06:16 > 0:06:21from the kitchen in a flat on the fourth floor of the block

0:06:21 > 0:06:23to, within hours, the top of the tower,

0:06:23 > 0:06:26the 24th floor.

0:06:26 > 0:06:29Inside, mums, dads, children, grandmas,

0:06:29 > 0:06:34uncles, aunties, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands.

0:06:34 > 0:06:37They'd come to live in a high-rise building on the Lancaster West

0:06:37 > 0:06:41estate in North Kensington, one of the richest boroughs

0:06:41 > 0:06:44in the country, from all over the UK, and from all over the world

0:06:44 > 0:06:49- Ethiopia, Italy, Sierra Leone, the Philipines, Gambia.

0:06:49 > 0:06:52As a result of the fire on June 14th, and no one knew this

0:06:52 > 0:06:54then as we broadcast from North Kensington that

0:06:54 > 0:06:59morning, 71 people died.

0:06:59 > 0:07:02The service today will be attended by the Prince of Wales,

0:07:02 > 0:07:04the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess

0:07:04 > 0:07:06of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.

0:07:06 > 0:07:11St Paul's have consulted with the Bishop of Kensington,

0:07:11 > 0:07:14the Al Manaar Mosque, local clergy of different faiths,

0:07:14 > 0:07:18survivors, the bereaved and the wider community,

0:07:18 > 0:07:21on the arrangements for this morning.

0:07:21 > 0:07:23The leader of the local council, Conservative-run Kensington

0:07:23 > 0:07:27and Chelsea, has been asked by families to stay away.

0:07:27 > 0:07:29Today on the programme, we're going to remember

0:07:29 > 0:07:30some of those who died.

0:07:30 > 0:07:33And we're going to talk to survivors, which we've done

0:07:33 > 0:07:42regularly on our programme since June 14th.

0:07:42 > 0:07:47Let me introduce you to Paul, who lived on the sixth floor of Grenfell

0:07:47 > 0:07:54Tower he has chosen to give his first interview to us will stop and

0:07:54 > 0:07:57to Bishop Graham Tomlin. Good morning to both of you. Thank you

0:07:57 > 0:08:04for talking to us. Paul, tell us what the day means to you.The day,

0:08:04 > 0:08:08it is more for the bereaved than anyone else. The people who lost

0:08:08 > 0:08:15their lives in the fire, it is remembering that their lives were

0:08:15 > 0:08:20not obviously, they did not die for anything. It is about remembering

0:08:20 > 0:08:23the people, my neighbours got my family, people I used to help.

0:08:23 > 0:08:29Things like helping to put shopping in the lifts. It is about

0:08:29 > 0:08:34remembering bringing the people who survived, coming out of the tower,

0:08:34 > 0:08:38actually getting a chance to see my neighbours for the first time in

0:08:38 > 0:08:42quite awhile. Since the fire we have been scattered different hotels,

0:08:42 > 0:08:52different accommodation is at stuff like that. It is more like as a

0:08:52 > 0:08:57family and the group, bringing everyone together and have a chance

0:08:57 > 0:09:01to remember the people who tragically lost their lives that

0:09:01 > 0:09:06day.And the theme of unity is one of the important messages you would

0:09:06 > 0:09:11like to bring forward today, isn't it?That is right. We wanted this

0:09:11 > 0:09:18service to bring together the different aspects of the community.

0:09:18 > 0:09:23Remember those who died and offer support to the families who survived

0:09:23 > 0:09:26from the tower, those who have been bereaved but offer an element of

0:09:26 > 0:09:30hope for the future. That is something for the whole community.

0:09:30 > 0:09:37We hope that will happen today. Paul, how would you say you are six

0:09:37 > 0:09:42months on?To be pretty honest, I don't think that today, six months

0:09:42 > 0:09:47on, it has not hit home what happens. I do still feel this is

0:09:47 > 0:09:52just a big, long dream and I will eventually wake up back in my flat

0:09:52 > 0:09:57inside the tower, back inside my bed. For me, it is still not good.

0:09:57 > 0:10:01The simple fact that six months on, about 40 households have been

0:10:01 > 0:10:06rehoused by the rest of us are still in hotels or temporary accommodation

0:10:06 > 0:10:10is quite sickening, to be brutally honest. I think the most important

0:10:10 > 0:10:15thing is to try to move on gradually. If we cannot be doing

0:10:15 > 0:10:19that if we are in temporary accommodation. What people need a

0:10:19 > 0:10:24structure in their lives, trying to get back to normality. We cannot do

0:10:24 > 0:10:29that, especially with young children being in hotel rooms. The only thing

0:10:29 > 0:10:34right now for kids who survived, the only structure they have is going to

0:10:34 > 0:10:40school and coming back. That is the only bit of structure they have.

0:10:40 > 0:10:48Going home from

0:10:48 > 0:10:52hotel room which is meant to be the sitting rooms, their bedrooms. I

0:10:52 > 0:10:57think it is still not going to be good enough until people can move

0:10:57 > 0:11:05on. We need to look at the housing situation and everyone to be

0:11:05 > 0:11:11rehoused, either temporary or permanent.How would you say your

0:11:11 > 0:11:17mental health is?It is not the best at the moment. Six months on, like I

0:11:17 > 0:11:22said it does not feel real. I am on a lot of medication to try to help

0:11:22 > 0:11:29me come to terms with what I saw that night, trying to help me move

0:11:29 > 0:11:35on. I am not in a good place at the moment.When you hear Paul described

0:11:35 > 0:11:40the way he is feeling today, you are hoping to deliver a message of hope

0:11:40 > 0:11:45later. That is hard to do when people are still clearly traumatised

0:11:45 > 0:11:52and clearly struggling.Exactly. This service has to be something to

0:11:52 > 0:11:58reflect the emotions and grief that is going on within the local

0:11:58 > 0:12:03community that Paul has expressed so well. There are so many unresolved

0:12:03 > 0:12:07issues around in the community, around housing, the inquiry and what

0:12:07 > 0:12:12will come out of that. About the tower itself and its future. It is

0:12:12 > 0:12:16difficult to live with that uncertainty. At the same time we do

0:12:16 > 0:12:21want to say it is possible for lives to be rebuilt. The significance of

0:12:21 > 0:12:26coming here to St Paul's, it is a religious place. There was a strong

0:12:26 > 0:12:29desire in the local community to have the servers here because they'd

0:12:29 > 0:12:37is important to many people in the local area. -- the service. That can

0:12:37 > 0:12:40bring strength to people. We hope we can express a vision of a way of

0:12:40 > 0:12:43living together which is better than we have done in the past to give

0:12:43 > 0:12:48people a feeling that when one chapter comes to an end another

0:12:48 > 0:12:52begins. It does not resolve the issues but it helps people to move

0:12:52 > 0:12:55on and find comfort and even from the fact the nation is coming around

0:12:55 > 0:13:01to remember them and support them today.It is clearly going to be a

0:13:01 > 0:13:07very emotional day. Do you feel comforted in any way that the

0:13:07 > 0:13:13country is behind you that this is a national memorial service and the

0:13:13 > 0:13:20significance of it being held at St Paul's?It plays a big part. I don't

0:13:20 > 0:13:23want people in the broader community, people as far as

0:13:23 > 0:13:28Manchester, to forget everything that has happened down here. From

0:13:28 > 0:13:33statistics wise, from what people tried to make out, is that people

0:13:33 > 0:13:40are being rehoused and people are being offered money, people have

0:13:40 > 0:13:44been given money, charity money, six months on. I don't know why people

0:13:44 > 0:13:49are still in the way in which they are right now. The simple fact is it

0:13:49 > 0:13:54is not like that. Right now, people see it from the outside point of

0:13:54 > 0:14:03view with what is happening. We're actually doing... They are doing a

0:14:03 > 0:14:07good thing. Stuff like this remembering will help us. People not

0:14:07 > 0:14:11forgetting that night. I want the broader community to realise that

0:14:11 > 0:14:15and remember it going further forward. There was a lot of

0:14:15 > 0:14:19working-class people. From the outside point of view, people look

0:14:19 > 0:14:23to the tower and thought a lot of people were probably on benefits who

0:14:23 > 0:14:27lived in the tower, they probably have income support and jobseeker's

0:14:27 > 0:14:31allowance. That is not the case. There were 14 leaseholders in the

0:14:31 > 0:14:39building that that is such a working-class family building. So

0:14:39 > 0:14:41many different cultures of life, so many religions and ethnic groups,

0:14:41 > 0:14:45all in one block. It was such an amazing block in such a privilege to

0:14:45 > 0:14:53be part of it.What do you think about the invited guests today? The

0:14:53 > 0:14:58Royals will be well represented and will want to pay their respects.It

0:14:58 > 0:15:06is welcomed. I believe that it is the right thing to do in terms of

0:15:06 > 0:15:10moving forward, showing them. I know that Prince Harry and Prince

0:15:10 > 0:15:14Charles, Prince William, they have come to the error to show their

0:15:14 > 0:15:19support for mental health. I really do appreciate that and envy that as

0:15:19 > 0:15:24well to show their support. For the Queen to come down the first couple

0:15:24 > 0:15:27of days after the fire actually happened, at her age as well, and

0:15:27 > 0:15:34stand up as long as she stood up. People who survived the fire, I envy

0:15:34 > 0:15:42her full coming down and showing her support.The Prime Minister will be

0:15:42 > 0:15:46here today, and the leaders of the main political parties.I do not

0:15:46 > 0:15:50want to make it political. I am not a big fan of Theresa May for the way

0:15:50 > 0:15:55in which she dealt with coming to the area the first couple of days

0:15:55 > 0:15:58after, I have a lot of anger and rage towards the with how she dealt

0:15:58 > 0:16:05with coming to the area, meeting the Fire Services and driving off. For

0:16:05 > 0:16:10me, it is good chief has come down now, but she is really hated in the

0:16:10 > 0:16:17community. -- it is good she has. You will make a fairly short

0:16:17 > 0:16:21address, Bishop Graham Tomlin, what else will be featured in the

0:16:21 > 0:16:26memorial service this morning?Lots of different aspects of the service,

0:16:26 > 0:16:31songs, hymns, prayers, performances, poems, a montage of voices from the

0:16:31 > 0:16:36local community, trying to express some of the emotions. It will be a

0:16:36 > 0:16:40very emotional time, hopefully it is something that will reflect the

0:16:40 > 0:16:44variety of the local community and something everyone can feel part of

0:16:44 > 0:16:50and feel it is their service. Some polls have worked very closely with

0:16:50 > 0:16:52local community groups and faith groups to make sure this is

0:16:52 > 0:16:58something that does reflect the local community -- St Paul's.

0:16:58 > 0:17:02Hopefully it will bring comfort and support and strength to the local

0:17:02 > 0:17:06community cover people who are here, and it will be significant, bring

0:17:06 > 0:17:10people together. Many people have been scattered, people who live

0:17:10 > 0:17:12together, knew each other very well and hopefully this service will

0:17:12 > 0:17:17bring them together in a very significant way.Thank you very

0:17:17 > 0:17:24much. Thank you for your time, Paul, we appreciate it. Over the last six

0:17:24 > 0:17:32months, there has been shock, anger, that quiet anger you heard from Paul

0:17:32 > 0:17:41there and the community has rallied together to support each other.

0:17:42 > 0:17:45I opened the front door and there was thick smoke

0:17:45 > 0:17:46among the whole landing.

0:17:46 > 0:17:49There was a lot of young kids and a lot of old people

0:17:49 > 0:17:50living in the block.

0:17:50 > 0:17:52We could see this was a bad one immediately.

0:17:52 > 0:17:53The sky was glowing.

0:17:53 > 0:17:55The fire brigade, the ambulance and the police,

0:17:55 > 0:17:56they couldn't do nothing.

0:17:56 > 0:17:57They couldn't get in.

0:17:57 > 0:18:00They were just telling them to just stay there, where they are,

0:18:00 > 0:18:02we will come and get you.

0:18:02 > 0:18:03People have lost their homes.

0:18:03 > 0:18:04Children have seen things.

0:18:04 > 0:18:06People were jumping out of the window.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09We just need to rebuild as a community now.

0:18:11 > 0:18:12Wow.

0:18:12 > 0:18:16We saw a lot, we saw a lot.

0:18:16 > 0:18:19Man, we saw, we saw a lot with our own eyes.

0:18:19 > 0:18:21We saw, we saw friends, families.

0:18:21 > 0:18:24Our whole life...

0:18:24 > 0:18:29Honestly, it's all right, you don't have to say any more.

0:18:29 > 0:18:32Then I went outside, I called him, I said, "Where are you?"

0:18:32 > 0:18:34He said, "I'm in the flat."

0:18:34 > 0:18:36I said, "Why you didn't come?

0:18:36 > 0:18:37They brought us outside.

0:18:37 > 0:18:38I thought you were with us".

0:18:38 > 0:18:42He said, "No one brought me outside".

0:18:42 > 0:18:46He said, "Why have you left me?"

0:18:46 > 0:18:48He said, "Why?"

0:18:48 > 0:18:58I didn't leave him.

0:19:00 > 0:19:02Today, we back here in North Kensington to catch up

0:19:02 > 0:19:05with some of those we first met on that Wednesday.

0:19:05 > 0:19:06We still have missing people.

0:19:06 > 0:19:11We still have no answers.

0:19:11 > 0:19:12It's constantly, we are expected to chase things.

0:19:13 > 0:19:14Go here, phone this.

0:19:14 > 0:19:17Why is it OK that there are thousands of empty homes?

0:19:17 > 0:19:20Why, in this area, are these people homeless?

0:19:20 > 0:19:22I don't want money.

0:19:22 > 0:19:24We are not looking for money.

0:19:24 > 0:19:26Olu does not want temporary accommodation.

0:19:26 > 0:19:27He wants permanent accommodation.

0:19:27 > 0:19:28He wants good, permanent accommodation.

0:19:29 > 0:19:31That is not too much to ask.

0:19:31 > 0:19:33Can you promise him that?

0:19:33 > 0:19:35Victoria, what we have said...

0:19:35 > 0:19:37Just say yes or no.

0:19:37 > 0:19:38Exactly.

0:19:38 > 0:19:39I was happy in my house.

0:19:39 > 0:19:41I work hard, you know, I work hard.

0:19:41 > 0:19:43I had a good house.

0:19:43 > 0:19:44What about those people that lost their children?

0:19:44 > 0:19:45Where are they hiding?

0:19:45 > 0:19:47They can't even go in their heads.

0:19:47 > 0:19:49They can't even go and sleep at night.

0:19:49 > 0:19:50What about those people?

0:19:50 > 0:19:52What about them?

0:19:52 > 0:20:00Shame on you! Shame on you!

0:20:00 > 0:20:08BOOING. Shame on you!

0:20:08 > 0:20:11I have therefore decided to step down as leader of the council

0:20:11 > 0:20:13as soon as a successor is in place.

0:20:13 > 0:20:14We want justice!

0:20:14 > 0:20:18We want justice!

0:20:18 > 0:20:22The community is strong.

0:20:22 > 0:20:24The chasm isn't between the community, whether they are rich

0:20:24 > 0:20:28or poor, it is between them and the state.

0:20:28 > 0:20:31We lost lives.

0:20:31 > 0:20:33Some people, all their family.

0:20:33 > 0:20:36More of us have got to spend time there.

0:20:36 > 0:20:38More of us have got to walk in the shoes of some

0:20:39 > 0:20:40of those who are residents.

0:20:40 > 0:20:42What I want to ensure is that the Grenfell United

0:20:42 > 0:20:46residents and others locally are given the support that they need

0:20:46 > 0:20:51following this terrible tragedy.

0:21:00 > 0:21:04The communities are the ones who are going to make sure that

0:21:04 > 0:21:06everybody has somewhere to go on Christmas Day.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09I want to spend my Christmas Day with my community because I think

0:21:09 > 0:21:12after this year, after what we have been through this year,

0:21:12 > 0:21:22I think that is the only way we can heal is with each other.

0:21:22 > 0:21:23Exactly.

0:21:23 > 0:21:25Six months on from the fire and understandably, emotions

0:21:25 > 0:21:26are incredibly raw.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29The anger and betrayal at the local council's response to the fire

0:21:29 > 0:21:30is as strong as ever.

0:21:30 > 0:21:33Many families made homeless are going to be spending

0:21:33 > 0:21:38Christmas in a hotel room.

0:21:38 > 0:21:40Rukshama Mamudu and 12-year-old old grandson, Tyrshondre, are here.

0:21:40 > 0:21:42They escaped from the first floor.

0:21:42 > 0:21:47We have followed their story on our programme.

0:21:47 > 0:21:49Hamid Wahbi was the only one in his flat

0:21:49 > 0:21:53on the 16th floor during the fire.

0:21:53 > 0:21:54We will speak to him in a moment.

0:21:54 > 0:21:56We will speak to him in a moment.

0:21:56 > 0:21:59He helped his neighbours escape.

0:21:59 > 0:22:04Good morning. How are you? Thank you for talking to us. Tell me how you

0:22:04 > 0:22:10are feeling about today.I feel happy for being alive and I feel

0:22:10 > 0:22:23happy for being able to bear what is happening around me and my son.When

0:22:23 > 0:22:26you are inside in the memorial service, what will you be thinking

0:22:26 > 0:22:33about?I will be praising God and praying for those who died in the

0:22:33 > 0:22:41tower and praying for us to be able to be settled quickly and happy

0:22:41 > 0:22:43because.

0:22:43 > 0:22:54to be settled quickly and happy What will you be thinking about

0:22:54 > 0:22:56today today?Still thinking about Grenfell Tower.What does the

0:22:56 > 0:23:03National Service mean to you this morning?Six months on, I am not

0:23:03 > 0:23:15sure.Still hard, isn't it?Yeah. How would you say you are, six

0:23:15 > 0:23:23months on?I am OK. We have to go through these things, if it is God's

0:23:23 > 0:23:29wish and God will see us through it. I am happy to come and say thanks to

0:23:29 > 0:23:35God, very happy to come and say thanks to God for sparing our lives.

0:23:35 > 0:23:43We have followed both of you since that day. You are still in a hotel.

0:23:43 > 0:23:47You now have two rooms, understand, as opposed to one room. How are you

0:23:47 > 0:24:01feeling about that?I feel bad about it but on the contrary, I have to

0:24:01 > 0:24:06look at my other survivors and to give them encouragement by making

0:24:06 > 0:24:14them feel, it is not the end of our lives, we will get over it. And by

0:24:14 > 0:24:20the grace of God, we will all be all right.I spoke to a gentleman called

0:24:20 > 0:24:24Paul earlier who also escape from the tower and he said today was

0:24:24 > 0:24:28important for him in that it was bringing you all together and you

0:24:28 > 0:24:32are now scattered in various places, living in different parts of the

0:24:32 > 0:24:36borough and elsewhere, would you agree with that, it is important to

0:24:36 > 0:24:42get together?It is very, very important. All went through the same

0:24:42 > 0:24:47hell of fire and when we were all coming out, some of us were in the

0:24:47 > 0:24:52hospital, we still visited one another because to me, that tower

0:24:52 > 0:25:02was, like, a multicultural gathering of people and we were very friendly

0:25:02 > 0:25:08and very close. Very close.And what are you thinking as you approach

0:25:08 > 0:25:12Christmas with your 12-year-old grandson and the fact you will be

0:25:12 > 0:25:20still in the hotel?We make do with what we have. That is what we have.

0:25:20 > 0:25:25We cannot go to the town hall and forced them to give us what they

0:25:25 > 0:25:28don't have. According to them, they are doing their best. The only thing

0:25:28 > 0:25:34I do not like its promises upon promises. You know you cannot do it,

0:25:34 > 0:25:39why promise? Lifting our hopes and letting us down. Very wrong. At the

0:25:39 > 0:25:46end of the day, they finish work and they go home to their comfortable

0:25:46 > 0:25:50homes. I am not saying they are not thinking about us, maybe there are

0:25:50 > 0:25:55some handicaps, there should be a better way of handling the

0:25:55 > 0:26:03situation.I am going to bring in Hamid. I will in a moment, I beg

0:26:03 > 0:26:09your pardon. You told us the last time we spoke that you continued to

0:26:09 > 0:26:16wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what happened on the

0:26:16 > 0:26:2314th of June. Does that still happen?Four days ago, I tripped

0:26:23 > 0:26:29over... It is something that will be there for a while, until we have a

0:26:29 > 0:26:34roof over our heads, all of us, there will not be any closure. Even

0:26:34 > 0:26:41if we go for this therapy, if there is no roof for us to call, this is

0:26:41 > 0:26:49my home, there will not be any closure.When do you think that will

0:26:49 > 0:26:56be?It depends on the authority. But at this stage, I think the Prime

0:26:56 > 0:27:03Minister should try to step in because we are really being abused,

0:27:03 > 0:27:07is the word.Why do you say that?We do not have our self-respect

0:27:07 > 0:27:13anymore. No dignity. No pride. Nothing. No privacy. We have lost it

0:27:13 > 0:27:21all. Six months, this is supposed to be Great Britain, not Africa. Even

0:27:21 > 0:27:26in Africa, this would not happen anymore.Thank you very much for

0:27:26 > 0:27:35talking to us. Thank you very much for coming on our programme again.

0:27:35 > 0:27:39That night, as the flames spread across Grenfell Tower, people in

0:27:39 > 0:27:42nearby pubs, churches and community centres opened their

0:27:42 > 0:27:47doors to help look after some of the survivors who had escaped. In the

0:27:47 > 0:27:51days that followed, those places turned into volunteering centres,

0:27:51 > 0:27:55the nearby Tabernacle Christian centre was one of those places. Six

0:27:55 > 0:27:59months on, our reporter went to catch up on the work still being

0:27:59 > 0:28:09done.

0:28:09 > 0:28:15We still serving the survivors because are still coming. We have

0:28:15 > 0:28:19the clothes here and also other donations given to us.What is going

0:28:19 > 0:28:25on over there?The Salvation Army is in partnership with us and they have

0:28:25 > 0:28:30given out vouchers for winter clothing. We have been in touch over

0:28:30 > 0:28:38the weekend with the survivors, booking appointments. For vouchers.

0:28:38 > 0:28:42Quite a few have been asking for winter clothes, codes, scarves,

0:28:42 > 0:28:47gloves. Here we have clothes, most of these was summer clothes, but we

0:28:47 > 0:28:56have winter clothes among them. We have toiletries, nappies. This site,

0:28:56 > 0:29:03we have clothing for males, trousers and other items the survivors will

0:29:03 > 0:29:12go through.What is in this gazebo? This is where we store the food that

0:29:12 > 0:29:21has been donated from supermarkets and now some of the nonperishable

0:29:21 > 0:29:29foods which have been donated by stores like Waitrose and Sainsbury's

0:29:29 > 0:29:35and Tesco so graciously.Did you think six months on since the fire,

0:29:35 > 0:29:39in the lead up to Christmas, that you would still be here with your

0:29:39 > 0:29:43church being the donation centre for survivors?Absolutely not. We

0:29:43 > 0:29:48thought all the survivors by then would have been housed. The majority

0:29:48 > 0:29:53of survivors are still in hotels. We are here for the long run, as long

0:29:53 > 0:29:58as the survivors need us. They are still coming. They come for support,

0:29:58 > 0:30:04comfort, prior. People just want to come and talk. -- prayers.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08Especially when you adjust up in a hotel. Some are very depressed.

0:30:08 > 0:30:16Coming here, they find solitude and comfort.-- especially when you are

0:30:16 > 0:30:21still in a hotel. Let us talk to pasta Derek. We broadcast from your

0:30:21 > 0:30:29church, you kindly invited us in five weeks after the fire -- Pastor

0:30:29 > 0:30:34Derek. How would you assess how the community is?There is still a lot

0:30:34 > 0:30:40of grieving, a lot of anger among the survivors. One of the main

0:30:40 > 0:30:43problem is the accommodation. Apartments that have been bought and

0:30:43 > 0:30:49yet there are only I think 42 that are in temporary accommodation but

0:30:49 > 0:30:53yet apartments have been bought, so I am wondering why they are not

0:30:53 > 0:31:03being housed.

0:31:03 > 0:31:06We spoke to the leader of the council earlier on and she said it

0:31:06 > 0:31:13takes time to re-carpet and repaint. Sometimes families were changing

0:31:13 > 0:31:19their minds about moving and wanting to stay where they work, which is

0:31:19 > 0:31:23understandable.You cannot rebuild your life in temporary

0:31:23 > 0:31:34accommodation. I understand the logistics. 300 apartments are

0:31:34 > 0:31:40bought. We have 210 families. We know there are enough accommodation

0:31:40 > 0:31:45for each and every one of them.You are bewildered by the fact that

0:31:45 > 0:31:51people are not in permanent accommodation yet.Six months in a

0:31:51 > 0:32:00hotel with children, some of them are disabled. Depression has set in.

0:32:00 > 0:32:06Did you say depression?Absolute depression. These survivors of

0:32:06 > 0:32:09traumatised. Some are not receiving the counselling they should be

0:32:09 > 0:32:15receiving. We have over 100 families coming in through our doors, wanting

0:32:15 > 0:32:19items under nations, as well as support and comfort. We are doing

0:32:19 > 0:32:27our bit as the church to serve these people.Do you think the impact of

0:32:27 > 0:32:30what happened that night in the allows of the morning will be felt

0:32:30 > 0:32:39for generations to come in the community?This has changed the face

0:32:39 > 0:32:44of North Kensington. We were told some time ago, I think it was 11,000

0:32:44 > 0:32:49people who had been affected because of Grenfell Tower. It is a colossal

0:32:49 > 0:32:55amount of people. How do you go about trying to counsel and support

0:32:55 > 0:33:01the community that is traumatised? Again, we must just tried to work

0:33:01 > 0:33:09with the council to make things a lot easier for the survivors to move

0:33:09 > 0:33:15on in their lives.Thank you for talking to us again. Thank you very

0:33:15 > 0:33:18much, Pastor Derek. We're going to talk to many more people in the next

0:33:18 > 0:33:23hour and a half of we head towards the memorial service which begins at

0:33:23 > 0:33:2611 o'clock. Coverage of that on BBC One.

0:33:26 > 0:33:27Time for the latest news.

0:33:27 > 0:33:29Here's Julian.

0:33:29 > 0:33:31A memorial service is being held at St Paul's Cathedral this morning

0:33:31 > 0:33:34for the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower

0:33:34 > 0:33:35fire in West London.

0:33:35 > 0:33:3771 people were killed when the fire tore

0:33:37 > 0:33:38through the tower block, six months ago today.

0:33:38 > 0:33:42Members of the royal family, including Prince Charles

0:33:42 > 0:33:45and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be among the 1,500

0:33:45 > 0:33:48people who are expected to attend.

0:33:48 > 0:33:51Theresa May is due at a summit in Brussels,

0:33:51 > 0:33:53hours after Conservative rebels in the Commons defeated

0:33:53 > 0:33:56the Government in a key Brexit vote.

0:33:56 > 0:33:59MPs backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a vote

0:33:59 > 0:34:09on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12A third person has been charged with the murder of four children

0:34:12 > 0:34:15who died in a fire at a house in Salford, in Greater

0:34:15 > 0:34:16Manchester, on Monday.

0:34:16 > 0:34:18The 25-year-old man who's from the area has also been charged

0:34:18 > 0:34:20with attempted murder and arson.

0:34:20 > 0:34:22The medical charity, MSF, says it believes more than six

0:34:22 > 0:34:25and a half thousand Rohingya Muslims were killed in the violence that

0:34:25 > 0:34:32began in Myanmar in late August.

0:34:32 > 0:34:35The estimate is based on interviews with some of the 600,000

0:34:35 > 0:34:41Rohingyas who've fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

0:34:41 > 0:34:43That's a summary of the latest BBC News.

0:34:43 > 0:34:45Let's get some sport with Hugh Woozencroft.

0:34:45 > 0:34:47England's batsmen have made a positive start to the third

0:34:48 > 0:34:49Ashes Test at the WACA.

0:34:49 > 0:34:51Dawid Malan is closing in on a century,

0:34:51 > 0:34:54with Jonny Bairstow also at the crease past

0:34:54 > 0:35:00his half century.

0:35:00 > 0:35:01England now 276 for 4.

0:35:01 > 0:35:03Midfielder David Silva inspired Manchester City to a record 15th

0:35:03 > 0:35:05straight Premier League win - 4-nil at Swansea.

0:35:05 > 0:35:12Manchester United won in second but Arsenal were held at West Ham.

0:35:12 > 0:35:14Four-time Tour De France Champion Chris Froome insists his legacy

0:35:14 > 0:35:17will not be tainted, after he was found to have twice

0:35:17 > 0:35:21the allowed level of a legal asthma drug in his urine.

0:35:21 > 0:35:27They now want more details from Team Sky. Katie Taylor from Ireland had

0:35:27 > 0:35:33to be at her very best as she defended her lightweight title with

0:35:33 > 0:35:38a unanimous points decision over the American. That is all the sport for

0:35:38 > 0:35:42now. We will be back with more after ten o'clock.

0:35:42 > 0:35:43Good morning.

0:35:43 > 0:35:47This morning, we are live from St Paul's Cathedral

0:35:47 > 0:35:49ahead of a memorial service for the victims of the

0:35:49 > 0:35:54Grenfell Tower fire.

0:35:54 > 0:35:57The chair of one of the residents' association's said, "The memorial

0:35:57 > 0:36:00is a chance for us all to come together and remember what happened.

0:36:00 > 0:36:02The people in Grenfell Tower were forgotten about and ignored

0:36:02 > 0:36:05before the fire and this is a chance for people across the country

0:36:05 > 0:36:11to unite and stand with us."

0:36:11 > 0:36:15Let's talk now to Antonio Roncolato escaped with his 26-year-old son,

0:36:15 > 0:36:19Christopher, from the 10th floor.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22Hamid Wahbi was the only one in his flat on the 16th

0:36:22 > 0:36:23floor during the fire.

0:36:23 > 0:36:26He helped his neighbours escape.

0:36:26 > 0:36:32They're telling their stories to you today for the first time.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35Also with us, Clarrie Mendy, who lost her cousin Mary and Mary's

0:36:35 > 0:36:4124-year-old daughter, artist Khadije Saye.

0:36:41 > 0:36:48Thank you so much for talking to us on this day. The idea for this

0:36:48 > 0:36:52National Service, and I can see you are upset already, and I'm really

0:36:52 > 0:36:58sorry for your loss. This idea came to you in the summer, didn't it?

0:36:58 > 0:37:07Yes, it came to me a few days after... After the fire. I went to

0:37:07 > 0:37:11mess -- Westminster to see Joan Sinclair and ask that we have a

0:37:11 > 0:37:18National Service as soon as possible. I think this is what the

0:37:18 > 0:37:22community need, the survivors need, the bereaved families need. We just

0:37:22 > 0:37:27want to know we are not alone and there is support for us. Today, as

0:37:27 > 0:37:32we will see, it is a day of people coming and consolidating with us in

0:37:32 > 0:37:38solidarity. It is a very emotional day. I was here yesterday. The

0:37:38 > 0:37:45rehearsals were beautiful. There is something for everybody. We are a

0:37:45 > 0:37:50big family. Not many of us are here to represent, due to the restriction

0:37:50 > 0:37:58of the tickets, which is a shame. Here we are. I just hope everybody

0:37:58 > 0:38:05will get something from it. As I said, healing. I know the words that

0:38:05 > 0:38:13Bishop and the Canon have gone out of their way. I wanted to show that

0:38:13 > 0:38:15adversity of multicultural 21st-century Britain and represent

0:38:15 > 0:38:23all the different religious groups of the tower taking it into

0:38:23 > 0:38:28perspective with our cultures as well. There is a wonderful mix to

0:38:28 > 0:38:32this. A lot of people will get some healing today for them as I said,

0:38:32 > 0:38:38you can see I am crying already. People have had all of this for so

0:38:38 > 0:38:46long not knowing where we stand. We have had meetings with the council.

0:38:46 > 0:38:51It has been excused after excuse. We need people to come clean. We don't

0:38:51 > 0:39:02want a hill spread 25 years justice. Everyone what happened. --

0:39:02 > 0:39:08Hillsborough. People need to get on with their lives. People here are

0:39:08 > 0:39:16morning. They are morning but there is still a fight. In normal

0:39:16 > 0:39:23circumstances you can mourn. You have to get up and fight for your

0:39:23 > 0:39:26survival. The situation with survivors in the hotel is not right.

0:39:26 > 0:39:31I would not like to be in a hotel with my children at Christmas. You

0:39:31 > 0:39:34can even cook Christmas dinner. The whole thing is wrong. The quicker

0:39:34 > 0:39:42everything is just did -- adjusted it will be for the better. Theresa

0:39:42 > 0:39:47May is in a wonderful position today. We do not have to beg for

0:39:47 > 0:39:51everything. That is what it is seen to be. The local community is still

0:39:51 > 0:39:55suffering. Nothing has been mentioned about them with the toxins

0:39:55 > 0:40:02that are in the air. There is a whole neighbourhood will stop it

0:40:02 > 0:40:08seems nobody cares. Today I hope it will not just be a case of words.

0:40:08 > 0:40:13There need to be strong meanings behind the words.It needs to be

0:40:13 > 0:40:20meaningful with no platitudes.Not just pretty words, we want

0:40:20 > 0:40:25affirmation. Do you understand? Knowing where we stand for the we're

0:40:25 > 0:40:28not revolutionaries, it is just standing up for our rights, basic

0:40:28 > 0:40:33rights, especially in the wake of a human public tragedy. There should

0:40:33 > 0:40:39be more sympathy and empathy. We would like to recent me as the

0:40:39 > 0:40:45Government to adopt this charter that is recommended by Bishop James

0:40:45 > 0:40:49John after the Hillsborough disaster to save bereaved families this pain

0:40:49 > 0:41:04and anguish.Let me bring in Antonio and how meet -- Hameed. People will

0:41:04 > 0:41:09have experience grief but the way it is described, you are not only

0:41:09 > 0:41:13grieving, you are having to fight for survival. For respect, daily

0:41:13 > 0:41:21existence. What would you say about that?It is the big day today. Today

0:41:21 > 0:41:27we have to concentrate on thinking about the people who are no longer

0:41:27 > 0:41:31with us and support the people who have lost their beloved ones. I

0:41:31 > 0:41:35would say, for one day, we leave all the politics and stuff like this on

0:41:35 > 0:41:42the side and we get close. A group of people as a community and be

0:41:42 > 0:41:48together and show to the public that we are here to help each other. We

0:41:48 > 0:41:52want to raise awareness for the public that this cannot happen again

0:41:52 > 0:41:58in the future.Never, ever. Are you able to put politics to one side?I

0:41:58 > 0:42:07am here today to share all my feelings with everybody. We are very

0:42:07 > 0:42:14lucky to be here today. We never thought we were going to make it but

0:42:14 > 0:42:22we are here. I was living with my mum, who is 90. She is still at the

0:42:22 > 0:42:28hotel. She is not well. I did knock at the door this morning at six

0:42:28 > 0:42:34o'clock and she said she cannot make it. I was expecting her to come with

0:42:34 > 0:42:39me. We are going to go and share our feelings with everybody inside will

0:42:39 > 0:42:47stop what will be at the forefront of your mind as the service is going

0:42:47 > 0:42:51on, Hamid? We are going to go there to let everyone know that we are

0:42:51 > 0:43:00here. Our past has been taken from us and we need our future. We want

0:43:00 > 0:43:05to get on with our lives but it is still on hold. Everything is still

0:43:05 > 0:43:12on hold. To find the real trees, you have to come to the survivors and

0:43:12 > 0:43:17the bereaved people. That is the only way you're going to find the

0:43:17 > 0:43:26real things with what is going on. Are things on hold with you?

0:43:26 > 0:43:31Personally, things have moved a bit. I have been lucky with my key

0:43:31 > 0:43:35workers and the housing offices. My case, my son, has moved into

0:43:35 > 0:43:40temporary accommodation. He has been edgy lately. Something good came

0:43:40 > 0:43:50out. He has a flat. He has moved on. Hopefully, all the residents, or the

0:43:50 > 0:43:54other residents and people who have more needs and different

0:43:54 > 0:44:01requirements than myself. I really feel that this should be moved as

0:44:01 > 0:44:03quickly as possible before Christmas so they can move on with their

0:44:03 > 0:44:13lives.We need things to be sorted out as soon as possible. People are

0:44:13 > 0:44:22getting very sick. As I said, not from me, but everything is on hold.

0:44:22 > 0:44:29We want to get on with our lives. I have been working for all my life I

0:44:29 > 0:44:38have been working. It is a matter of sick and here we go. I have seen

0:44:38 > 0:44:47nothing up to there.Can I ask you, Hamid, you helped people escape that

0:44:47 > 0:44:56night...Of course.That is my duty. When you think of that now, what

0:44:56 > 0:45:01comes into your head?Last Monday or Tuesday, we went to the inquiry on

0:45:01 > 0:45:06Monday or Tuesday. One guy on my floor, that is the guy I'd told him,

0:45:06 > 0:45:11where is your dad? He told me my dad is frozen and he cannot walk. I

0:45:11 > 0:45:15tried to help his dad and because of the smoke I could not do it when I

0:45:15 > 0:45:20turned my back I found the guy has gone. He tore me last week I am

0:45:20 > 0:45:25sorry. I remember when you are trying to get out my dad from the

0:45:25 > 0:45:30house will stop it is a kind of... Our neighbour. We tried to help as

0:45:30 > 0:45:37much as we can but what can we?

0:45:37 > 0:45:45What did you say?We do not want to seem like beggars. This is the

0:45:45 > 0:45:5421st-century. There is more that can be done, really. Another country, we

0:45:54 > 0:45:59would be put to shame. Britain, 21st-century Britain, multicultural

0:45:59 > 0:46:06Britain, come on, we need to pull up our socks.Step up.We are not

0:46:06 > 0:46:10champions of the world in this cause, really. I think the

0:46:10 > 0:46:17Government needs to step up ASAP. We're not going to turn

0:46:17 > 0:46:20revolutionaries overnight, but we do not want our hearts to be turned to

0:46:20 > 0:46:26stone. I want to see joy. My pain is your pain. My pain is even the

0:46:26 > 0:46:30people looking at that tower every day still breathing, what about the

0:46:30 > 0:46:40Grenfell cough and the droopy eyes? This needs to be addressed. Help us,

0:46:40 > 0:46:47SOS.People think very differently about us, people from Grenfell

0:46:47 > 0:46:56Tower.We are not benefit street. Self-employed.I have people working

0:46:56 > 0:47:01for me, now they are not working, I am not working, I am not signing on,

0:47:01 > 0:47:07I am working my life. People have to understand. We have plenty of

0:47:07 > 0:47:14educated people there and we are not begging or asking for a favour, this

0:47:14 > 0:47:18is not a favour, this is a very serious situation and it needs to be

0:47:18 > 0:47:28sorted out as soon as possible.Fast tracked.After six months...

0:47:28 > 0:47:34Disgusting.Inside, there will be 1500 people, royals, political

0:47:34 > 0:47:38leaders, yourselves, members of the community, members of the emergency

0:47:38 > 0:47:44servitors, representatives. What do you say to them?-- emergency

0:47:44 > 0:47:49services. Thank you for supporting us. They have compassion for us. Do

0:47:49 > 0:47:54not just come... Make sure when you leave here, your moral conscience

0:47:54 > 0:48:02will maybe be further moving you to do something ASAP. There is a lot

0:48:02 > 0:48:07that could have been done. We did not have to go to six months. What

0:48:07 > 0:48:14has moved? Maybe a few people have been... I would not so lucky.

0:48:14 > 0:48:18Fortunate. People have suffered worse than our sun they deserve to

0:48:18 > 0:48:28be sorted out. -- worse than us. Some are sick and traumatised. They

0:48:28 > 0:48:32are out of work. We were inside the fire. What about the people watching

0:48:32 > 0:48:38from outside and the fire brigade who came inside to help us? I met

0:48:38 > 0:48:45with them on the 16th floor, they are suffering.Post-traumatic

0:48:45 > 0:48:51stress, if we do not address this, there will be psychosis soon.Let us

0:48:51 > 0:48:58help each other. Come on. It is a matter of that we want to go and

0:48:58 > 0:49:03have our life. We will start from zero, move on, we do not want to get

0:49:03 > 0:49:07stuck. Looks like we were just putting us on hold. Life keeps going

0:49:07 > 0:49:23on.Thank you.Solidarity...I can see that, I can feel that.She has

0:49:23 > 0:49:38been amazing.Thank you so much. Thank you.He was going to come

0:49:38 > 0:49:47here...Wahid. It will be a lovely service. Let us hope we can have a

0:49:47 > 0:49:52Merry Christmas and a beautiful home for you and your mother and your

0:49:52 > 0:49:56children, that is what I wish him and his 90-year-old mother. If there

0:49:56 > 0:50:01is such a thing as Father Christmas, bring him on.I did well, sending

0:50:01 > 0:50:08the normal way. -- sending my mum away. The last ten days of Ramadan,

0:50:08 > 0:50:15I was just going to travel to Saudi Arabia, the following day, after the

0:50:15 > 0:50:22fire, but I am still here.We are running out of time. Thank you so

0:50:22 > 0:50:27much. You can clearly see the love, the solidarity, the strength they

0:50:27 > 0:50:34get from each other, if not from people in authority. As you know, 71

0:50:34 > 0:50:36people died in the fire.

0:50:36 > 0:50:39For each victim, there are several relatives and friends

0:50:39 > 0:50:40trying to adjust to life without their loved

0:50:41 > 0:50:44one, six months on.

0:50:44 > 0:50:49We've invited some of them to pay tribute using their own words.

0:50:49 > 0:50:51Here are the letters written by three loved ones to victims

0:50:51 > 0:51:01of the Grenfell Fire.

0:51:03 > 0:51:07Um, my name is Clarrie Mendy.

0:51:07 > 0:51:15I'm a cousin to the late Mary Ajaoi Mendy and Khadija Ellen Saye.

0:51:15 > 0:51:18So, I'm Kenita and this is my uncle, Gary Maunders.

0:51:18 > 0:51:21My name is Ben Gabbitas and my relationship to Sheila

0:51:21 > 0:51:27is friend, soul partner, and she was my mother in spirit,

0:51:27 > 0:51:35is the way I like to describe it.

0:51:47 > 0:51:55When people remember Mary Ajaoi Mendy and Khadija Ellen Saye,

0:51:55 > 0:52:05they may remember Grenfell Towers and how they died.

0:52:05 > 0:52:08When we think of them, we think of the amazing flow of love.

0:52:08 > 0:52:11Gary, you are our uncle, a kind, caring, loving person.

0:52:11 > 0:52:13We loved you like an older brother.

0:52:13 > 0:52:16We had a bond because we was raised in the same household as each other.

0:52:16 > 0:52:22You were very charming and had an old-fashioned nature about you.

0:52:22 > 0:52:25Well, Sheila, that was quite a dash.

0:52:25 > 0:52:32You always said it was about the journey and not

0:52:32 > 0:52:34the destination but no one, but no one, foresaw this

0:52:34 > 0:52:35as the destination.

0:52:35 > 0:52:37Mary was an amazing woman, full of life.

0:52:37 > 0:52:40She was kind to everybody.

0:52:40 > 0:52:45And everybody was welcome at her home.

0:52:45 > 0:52:48You always went out of your way to help those that needed it,

0:52:48 > 0:52:50especially the older generation.

0:52:50 > 0:52:52You would say, "Good morning, darling", and would help

0:52:52 > 0:52:56them with their shopping bags or trolleys.

0:52:56 > 0:52:57Most of us all loved Mary.

0:52:57 > 0:53:03And most of all, she loved us all.

0:53:03 > 0:53:07You often said of stabbed teenagers and young people killed,

0:53:07 > 0:53:09"Have you ever noticed, Ben, they always seem

0:53:09 > 0:53:14to take the good ones, the ones with so much light?"

0:53:14 > 0:53:18So here it was, you, too, and 70 lights taken that day.

0:53:18 > 0:53:21You couldn't find another like you.

0:53:21 > 0:53:23A rare, unique within your own right.

0:53:23 > 0:53:26To call you a chatterbox would be an understatement.

0:53:26 > 0:53:29You would talk our ears off for hours but you were extremely

0:53:29 > 0:53:33funny, wise and knowledgeable, too.

0:53:33 > 0:53:38When we think of Khadija, we remember her smile,

0:53:38 > 0:53:40which lit up a room.

0:53:40 > 0:53:43We remember her soft voice.

0:53:43 > 0:53:47We remember her telling us to take it easy.

0:53:47 > 0:53:54We remember a niece, our cousin, our sister and a friend.

0:53:54 > 0:53:57One of your great lessons you taught me was to see the good

0:53:57 > 0:54:00that can come out of bad.

0:54:00 > 0:54:05This, then, will be a challenge like no other.

0:54:05 > 0:54:10Words cannot describe the pain in our hearts.

0:54:10 > 0:54:12We don't even know how to mend a heart that is

0:54:12 > 0:54:15broken beyond repair.

0:54:15 > 0:54:17You loved your mother and your children dearly.

0:54:17 > 0:54:21You would always check on them daily to see if they were all right,

0:54:21 > 0:54:24and to say that you love them.

0:54:24 > 0:54:26Nanny wants you to know that you were a lovely son.

0:54:27 > 0:54:31Sorry, I need to stop.

0:54:31 > 0:54:35Our hearts bleed with sadness at your passing.

0:54:35 > 0:54:38God took you because he saw your heart and he knew

0:54:38 > 0:54:42how special you were.

0:54:42 > 0:54:44Khadija, you were truly more than a billion.

0:54:44 > 0:54:47Auntie Mary, for the first time in my life, you are not there.

0:54:47 > 0:54:55You're not a phone call away or a train journey away.

0:54:55 > 0:55:01Passing in your sleep, we do not know for sure, but I hope

0:55:01 > 0:55:10to God your guides and angels kept you from the roar.

0:55:10 > 0:55:13You wanted the best for everyone and always told the younger children

0:55:13 > 0:55:16of the family to behave and do well in school.

0:55:16 > 0:55:18Nanny wants you to know that you were a lovely son

0:55:18 > 0:55:20and you had a heart of gold.

0:55:20 > 0:55:23We truly miss you.

0:55:23 > 0:55:30It was a massive chunk of our hearts that have been ripped out of us.

0:55:30 > 0:55:33We don't know how we can continue as a family.

0:55:33 > 0:55:35Or how, as a family, we can ever heal from this.

0:55:35 > 0:55:38Our hearts will continue to bleed for you both.

0:55:38 > 0:55:44To say thank you for all you did seems like some huge understatement.

0:55:44 > 0:55:46Sometimes, there is no words to describe such feelings.

0:55:46 > 0:55:56You will always be remembered and cared for in your memory.

0:55:58 > 0:56:06I will miss our long telephone conversations,

0:56:06 > 0:56:08our trips to Limburg and Meera, Cornwall and

0:56:08 > 0:56:10around the country.

0:56:10 > 0:56:12I, Betty, cry every night for you, Mary and Khadija.

0:56:12 > 0:56:15All the advice you gave me and my children will stay with us

0:56:16 > 0:56:21for the rest of our lives.

0:56:21 > 0:56:24So now it has to be a project in your name that I must

0:56:24 > 0:56:26see through, friend, soul partner, and mother

0:56:26 > 0:56:27in spirit, too.

0:56:27 > 0:56:29We hope you are at peace and continue up in heaven

0:56:29 > 0:56:31doing what you do best.

0:56:31 > 0:56:35Forever loved.

0:56:35 > 0:56:37We will carry on and we will carry you wherever we go.

0:56:38 > 0:56:40Your spirit will live through us.

0:56:40 > 0:56:43We will always love you.

0:56:43 > 0:56:53You were special and a special place will always remain in our hearts.

0:57:10 > 0:57:14Letters to loved ones from Clarrie Mendy,

0:57:14 > 0:57:21Kenita Spence and Ben Gabbitas.

0:57:21 > 0:57:27Extraordinarily powerful, very, very moving. In an hour's time at St

0:57:27 > 0:57:30Paul's, the national memorial service will begin for the victims

0:57:30 > 0:57:35of their Grenfell Tower fire, many residents are arriving already,

0:57:35 > 0:57:40wandering up the front steps of St Paul's, members of the emergency

0:57:40 > 0:57:45services arriving too to take their places inside the grand building of

0:57:45 > 0:57:54St Paul's. This man lived with his wife, daughter and steps in on the

0:57:54 > 0:57:5815th floor of the power and we are grateful you are talking to us

0:57:58 > 0:58:04before you go inside -- and stepson on the 15th floor of the tower. Who

0:58:04 > 0:58:09will you be paying tribute to today? Everyone, all my neighbours, all my

0:58:09 > 0:58:18beloved neighbours who we lost that night. I want just to say to them, I

0:58:18 > 0:58:24am sorry. We didn't save you. I am sorry we didn't know what was

0:58:24 > 0:58:28happening around us. I am sorry we were inside and we didn't know what

0:58:28 > 0:58:37was going on really.Do you feel guilt about that?Yeah. We didn't

0:58:37 > 0:58:42know. We were inside, we didn't know. We didn't know what was going

0:58:42 > 0:58:55on around the building. But what I believe, they are in the hand of

0:58:55 > 0:59:03God. I believe what happened we will never forget and I from this -- and

0:59:03 > 0:59:09I promise all my life I will do the best of me to get things better and

0:59:09 > 0:59:17better in the right way. I will never change my thoughts, I will

0:59:17 > 0:59:30never forget, and it is just... How I feel, it shouldn't happen, but

0:59:30 > 0:59:40what I am feeling right now is... How come we didn't know? How come

0:59:40 > 0:59:45when I came out that night from the building, I looked up at the

0:59:45 > 0:59:51building, I realised, there are people inside. That moment, it

0:59:51 > 1:00:00was... It is not just pain, I can't even speak. No, tremendous hurt,

1:00:00 > 1:00:07tremendous grief. I want to say sorry to them. I believe they are

1:00:07 > 1:00:14standing now by the side of God and I believe... I believe he will help

1:00:14 > 1:00:19us to get justice done and I believe we will make them proud and I

1:00:19 > 1:00:24believe we will make them happy, they are looking at us and seeing us

1:00:24 > 1:00:29and they feel us and I believe standing altogether to get things

1:00:29 > 1:00:36right, to make it right, and to secure everything in the right way

1:00:36 > 1:00:42and this is what I believe.That is your promise.This is my promise.

1:00:42 > 1:00:49You know, on that day, I loved someone behind me, I left Steve

1:00:49 > 1:00:53behind me, I did not know he was on the flat, he passed away that night.

1:00:53 > 1:01:02The same floor. Until now, I feel very bad. On the same floor. Until

1:01:02 > 1:01:05now, I feel very bad for the neighbours. They used to open the

1:01:05 > 1:01:11door to me, say hello to me, the children... It is massive. Something

1:01:11 > 1:01:19we cannot forget. We witnessed.

1:01:19 > 1:01:28I wish for the family, my neighbour, their family, to keep going, to keep

1:01:28 > 1:01:34the faith, to keep themselves strong. We will support them. We

1:01:34 > 1:01:42will be together on this until we get that done properly.Thank you

1:01:42 > 1:01:47very much. I know you have to go inside. We appreciate your time this

1:01:47 > 1:01:56morning thank you for talking to us. It is ten o'clock

1:01:56 > 1:01:58morning thank you for talking to us. It is ten o'clock.

1:01:58 > 1:02:01Hello.

1:02:01 > 1:02:03This morning, we're at St Paul's Cathedral where members

1:02:03 > 1:02:06of the royal family and the Prime Minister will join families

1:02:06 > 1:02:09of victims of the Grenfell Tower fire for a memorial service, six

1:02:09 > 1:02:14months after the devastating fire which killed 71 people.

1:02:14 > 1:02:17This morning survivors of the fire have been telling us why the service

1:02:17 > 1:02:20is so important to them.

1:02:20 > 1:02:23It's about remembering the people, my neighbours, my family.

1:02:23 > 1:02:25it's about remembering the people I used to help

1:02:25 > 1:02:30get their shopping in the lifts.

1:02:30 > 1:02:40It's also about bringing the people who survived together.

1:02:40 > 1:02:44It is about getting the chance to see my neighbours for the first time

1:02:44 > 1:02:49in some while.

1:02:49 > 1:02:56Six months on and the pain of those suffering is plain to see.We do not

1:02:56 > 1:03:00have self-respect anymore. No dignity. No pride. No prissy. We

1:03:00 > 1:03:08have lost it all. Six months. -- previously. This is supposed to be

1:03:08 > 1:03:13Great Britain.The service will give thanks to everybody who assisted on

1:03:13 > 1:03:19the ground at the time and since. Including emergency services, the

1:03:19 > 1:03:24community, public support workers and volunteers.It has changed the

1:03:24 > 1:03:28face of North Kensington. We were told some time ago in 11,000 people

1:03:28 > 1:03:35have been affected because of the Grenfell Tower incident. It is a

1:03:35 > 1:03:40colossal amount of people. How do you go about trying to counsel and

1:03:40 > 1:03:45support a community that is traumatised?

1:03:55 > 1:04:02Here's Julian Worricker with a summary of today's news.

1:04:02 > 1:04:06A memorial service is being held for the victims of the Grenfell Tower

1:04:06 > 1:04:13fire.Members of the Royal family, including Prince Charles and the

1:04:13 > 1:04:18Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wobbly among the 1500 people who are

1:04:18 > 1:04:23expected to attend. -- will be among. The Metropolitan Police

1:04:23 > 1:04:27Commissioner said her forceful do whatever it takes to bring to

1:04:27 > 1:04:40justice anyone committing criminal offences in the fire.

1:04:40 > 1:04:43My officers are doing everything in their power to do a professional

1:04:43 > 1:04:44and thorough investigation.

1:04:44 > 1:04:46They want to do this as well as we possibly can,

1:04:46 > 1:04:49to give people the answers to the questions that they have.

1:04:49 > 1:04:51Theresa May is due at a summit in Brussels,

1:04:51 > 1:04:53hours after Conservative rebels in the Commons defeated

1:04:53 > 1:04:55the Government in a key Brexit vote.

1:04:55 > 1:04:58MPs backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a vote

1:04:58 > 1:05:00on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.

1:05:00 > 1:05:02One rebel, Stephen Hammond, was sacked by the Prime Minister

1:05:02 > 1:05:06as a party vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote.

1:05:06 > 1:05:09A third person has been charged with the murder of four children

1:05:09 > 1:05:12who died in a fire at a house in Salford, in Greater

1:05:12 > 1:05:14Manchester, on Monday.

1:05:14 > 1:05:16The 25-year-old man who's from the area has also been charged

1:05:16 > 1:05:22with attempted murder and arson.

1:05:22 > 1:05:24The medical charity, MSF, says it believes more than 6,500

1:05:24 > 1:05:26Rohingya Muslims were killed in the violence that

1:05:26 > 1:05:30began in Myanmar in late August.

1:05:30 > 1:05:33The estimate is based on interviews with some of the 600,000

1:05:33 > 1:05:37Rohingyas who've fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

1:05:37 > 1:05:40The Burmese armed forces have stated that about four hundred people died,

1:05:40 > 1:05:49describing most of them as Muslim terrorists.

1:05:49 > 1:05:52That's a summary of the latest BBC News.

1:05:52 > 1:06:00Sport now with Hugh Woozencroft.

1:06:00 > 1:06:03The crucial third Ashes Test has begun at the Waca in Perth

1:06:03 > 1:06:05with England needing to avoid defeat to keep their hopes

1:06:05 > 1:06:13of retaining the urn alive.

1:06:13 > 1:06:21Having won the toss, England lost key men. Jonny Bairstow pass the 75

1:06:21 > 1:06:27mark. England ending the day on 305-4.

1:06:27 > 1:06:29The four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has told

1:06:29 > 1:06:31the BBC he understands people will be cynical

1:06:31 > 1:06:34but insists his legacy won't be tainted, after it emerged he had

1:06:34 > 1:06:37double the allowed level of a legal asthma drug in his urine

1:06:37 > 1:06:39following a test during the Vuelta de Espana, which he

1:06:39 > 1:06:40won, in September.

1:06:40 > 1:06:42Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, wants more details

1:06:42 > 1:06:47from the team but Froome has not been suspended.

1:06:47 > 1:06:54Manchester City have extended their winning

1:06:54 > 1:06:59Premier League run to a record breaking 15 games.

1:06:59 > 1:07:05All the football stories on the BBC Sport website and app.

1:07:05 > 1:07:07Good morning from St Paul's, where the Grenfell community,

1:07:07 > 1:07:09along with Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William

1:07:09 > 1:07:11and Kate and Prince Harry, are all coming together to remember

1:07:11 > 1:07:14those loved ones who died in the fire at Grenfell,

1:07:14 > 1:07:16exactly six months today.

1:07:16 > 1:07:26It is going to be incredibly poignant.

1:07:26 > 1:07:32Be music from different communities, a steel band. The seats are filling

1:07:32 > 1:07:37up inside. By 11 o'clock there will be 1500 people inside. The Royals

1:07:37 > 1:07:48are due to arrive just before 11am for the will tell -- before 11am.

1:07:48 > 1:07:50And we'll bring it to you live at 11.

1:07:50 > 1:07:53We can speak now to David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham.

1:07:53 > 1:07:55He's campaigned on behalf of residents in North Kensington.

1:07:55 > 1:07:58One of his friends, the artist, Khadije Saye, died in the fire.

1:07:58 > 1:08:03Good morning. What does today mean to you?I think it is an appropriate

1:08:03 > 1:08:09moment for the country, the Londoners, to come together to

1:08:09 > 1:08:13support these families, to remember those lives and commemorate them and

1:08:13 > 1:08:19to commit to continuing to ask the important questions on behalf of the

1:08:19 > 1:08:26victims over the coming months. Just a really important moment for the

1:08:26 > 1:08:36families and survivors.When you think of your friend, Khadije, how

1:08:36 > 1:08:42do you think of her?I think the young woman who had same as to offer

1:08:42 > 1:08:46her country and the world and her life was cut off. I speak to her

1:08:46 > 1:08:52father and her family. They are really focused on those last moments

1:08:52 > 1:08:59of her life. This is a very poignant moment. In politics I am meant to be

1:08:59 > 1:09:04a bit sort of objective. I guess in relation to Grenfell Tower, because

1:09:04 > 1:09:09I knew someone who died, I am pretty engaged and pretty involved. I don't

1:09:09 > 1:09:15know if I am pretty objective, I am subjective about the manner of her

1:09:15 > 1:09:23death.Where do you think the community is six months on?You will

1:09:23 > 1:09:28have viewers who have experienced grief. They know the aftermath of

1:09:28 > 1:09:34Greece comes in stages. There is shock and bewilderment. -- grief.

1:09:34 > 1:09:39Then you get a lot of anger and then you get despairing depression. That

1:09:39 > 1:09:45has really crept in for many, many of the victims and families,

1:09:45 > 1:09:50struggling to come to terms with broken families, some that survived

1:09:50 > 1:09:56and some that did not. In this situation, a lot of repeat trauma

1:09:56 > 1:10:03really. The building still stands. It is a monument of death and, of

1:10:03 > 1:10:06course, the aftermath of Grenfell Tower, the housing situation, the

1:10:06 > 1:10:14way people felt dealt with by the state has been far from the best of

1:10:14 > 1:10:18this country. It is a tough moment for families of those victims, many

1:10:18 > 1:10:24of whom I met this week.We will talk about mental health in more

1:10:24 > 1:10:29detail. It has been such a huge issue and so many people have been

1:10:29 > 1:10:33affected. Let me ask you about the preliminary hearings of the inquiry

1:10:33 > 1:10:41which began on Monday. We heard powerful appeals from lawyers

1:10:41 > 1:10:44representing the families of victims. For there to be a more

1:10:44 > 1:10:50representative panel of judges.Do you agree with that? Yes, I do think

1:10:50 > 1:10:55that is important. In the end we hold these inquiries on behalf of

1:10:55 > 1:11:00the general public, on behalf of the Government and parliament, to get to

1:11:00 > 1:11:04the important questions and what happened. Most importantly on behalf

1:11:04 > 1:11:09of the families and victims. The families and the victims question

1:11:09 > 1:11:13that representation. They want to see a panel member that is

1:11:13 > 1:11:19reflective of the community. They want to be more deeply engaged.

1:11:19 > 1:11:23Those who represent them, their lawyers, they feel shutout. There

1:11:23 > 1:11:27are some real issues on the structure and the process that has

1:11:27 > 1:11:33been setup.Do you have any more faith the inquiry?You have to have

1:11:33 > 1:11:38faith. It has only just begun. Empathy, compassion and humanity

1:11:38 > 1:11:43mean you have to have faith that it will reach the right answers. It is

1:11:43 > 1:11:48not an underestimation to say it has not got off to the best of stops.

1:11:48 > 1:11:55Thank you for talking to us this morning. We appreciate it. I am

1:11:55 > 1:12:01going to ask you to move back so I can introduce our next guest. Ross

1:12:01 > 1:12:06O'Brien is from the mental health and well-being service. Mark Harris

1:12:06 > 1:12:13is from the Samaritans. Clearly, mental health is a huge issue.

1:12:13 > 1:12:19Actually we can just see emergency services arriving. Representatives

1:12:19 > 1:12:21from the emergency services arriving to walk up the steps of St Paul's

1:12:21 > 1:12:29Cathedral to go inside. Before the service begins at 11 o'clock. Life

1:12:29 > 1:12:36in the shadow of that blackened tower is a constant struggle, isn't

1:12:36 > 1:12:43it?It is a constant struggle. Every time you go to the area it is

1:12:43 > 1:12:49shocking that this reminder is always there. It towers over you.

1:12:49 > 1:12:55You can literally seeing and you are reminded all of the time. -- see in.

1:12:55 > 1:13:00With events like today, an anniversary always brings everything

1:13:00 > 1:13:06that happened into even sharper focus than it is anyway. You are

1:13:06 > 1:13:10talking about mental health issues on a massive scale, loss on a

1:13:10 > 1:13:15massive scale, trauma on a massive scale.The estimate is something

1:13:15 > 1:13:19like 11,000 people were affected by what happened that night was how

1:13:19 > 1:13:24many referrals have you had?So far, since the day of the fire we have

1:13:24 > 1:13:31seen over a thousand adults referred 200 children referred. And we are

1:13:31 > 1:13:37reaching out to more every day. We are knocking on doors, turning up at

1:13:37 > 1:13:41various community centres and faith centres and trying to engage and

1:13:41 > 1:13:46support the community and be there for them.It is not only people who

1:13:46 > 1:13:50escaped from the tower, it is people who lived in the surrounding area,

1:13:50 > 1:13:55people who lived further away than that and saw what happened that

1:13:55 > 1:14:01night by standing on the ground and feeling helpless.We are starting to

1:14:01 > 1:14:06see a second wave. The people who supported those people as well were

1:14:06 > 1:14:13supporting the teachers and supporting others, supporting as

1:14:13 > 1:14:16many people who were also supporting the people who were initially

1:14:16 > 1:14:21affected as well.The number of people have talked to me about their

1:14:21 > 1:14:26depression. They feel they are in a depression for all sorts of reasons,

1:14:26 > 1:14:29including the fact they are grieving but also that they are not in a home

1:14:29 > 1:14:35yet they feel they cannot again to start to rebuild until that happens.

1:14:35 > 1:14:41How can you help those people?We have seen lots of people who are

1:14:41 > 1:14:46really keen to engage in therapy. For them, at the moment, it is not

1:14:46 > 1:14:50quite the right time. You have to get the basic, fundamental needs

1:14:50 > 1:14:56met. They need a home and finances sorted.That needs to be sorted

1:14:56 > 1:15:01before they can deal with their mental health?That is one of the

1:15:01 > 1:15:04things that people keep presenting to us that they are seeking help is

1:15:04 > 1:15:08that it might not be the right time now. For us it is about being

1:15:08 > 1:15:12constantly engaged with the community. It has been an honour to

1:15:12 > 1:15:15do that. The community has come together really well. They are

1:15:15 > 1:15:20looking out for each other and supporting each other. They are

1:15:20 > 1:15:24talking to us about what they want as a service and we are able to

1:15:24 > 1:15:30respond to that it is really helpful.

1:15:30 > 1:15:36What kind of help have you been able to give?For the most part,

1:15:36 > 1:15:43listening, that is the Samaritans service, at the time, it moved from

1:15:43 > 1:15:48shell shock initially to the sense of loss and starting to process

1:15:48 > 1:15:52emotions. Then we were in some of the hotels. Where people were

1:15:52 > 1:15:59staying.Where you are in the reception, waiting for people? Were

1:15:59 > 1:16:05you able to knock on doors?We were in the reception. We worked with the

1:16:05 > 1:16:09hotel staff, they advertised the service, they knocked on the doors,

1:16:09 > 1:16:13people came down to us in reception. More recently, we have been doing

1:16:13 > 1:16:19training for Westminster council staff and others, Citizens Advice,

1:16:19 > 1:16:23to say, how do you actively listen to someone and deal with someone who

1:16:23 > 1:16:30is angry?How do you deal with someone who is angry, help someone?

1:16:30 > 1:16:34You are massively respectful to them and you hear what they are saying

1:16:34 > 1:16:38and you give them time and space and you completely validate everything

1:16:38 > 1:16:44they are saying and the issue is, for the council staff, they cannot

1:16:44 > 1:16:46fix things immediately, so it is trying to communicate to someone,

1:16:46 > 1:16:51this is what we are doing, where we are at currently. It is difficult.

1:16:51 > 1:16:56What we can do as listening volunteers is hold someone in that

1:16:56 > 1:17:06spacespace. As council staff can you have a job to do.Do you think

1:17:06 > 1:17:10this is, as a resident said earlier, the impact of what has happened will

1:17:10 > 1:17:16be felt for generations, actually? Absolutely. If you look at other

1:17:16 > 1:17:21disasters, there has not really been a similar disaster in the UK on this

1:17:21 > 1:17:26scale, but if you look at other disasters, the impact is there for

1:17:26 > 1:17:37generations, looking back to Aberfan com you still feel it felt among the

1:17:37 > 1:17:41adult population, a traumatic event for children that long ago. We

1:17:41 > 1:17:44expect there will be an initial massive piece of work in terms of

1:17:44 > 1:17:49reaching those people, but the community will be affected for such

1:17:49 > 1:17:53a long time, we will have to be there for them for that period of

1:17:53 > 1:17:59time.The same for your organisation presumably as well?Yeah,

1:17:59 > 1:18:03completely. You have the physical space, that has to be turned into

1:18:03 > 1:18:07something, it can only be a memorial garden, that has to be there, people

1:18:07 > 1:18:14have to be able to go there, and the service for us is listening, 24

1:18:14 > 1:18:19hours a day. When they need to call, it is free, always open. And

1:18:19 > 1:18:24off-loading as and when you need to, does not matter if it is 3am, we

1:18:24 > 1:18:28know sleep patterns are not normal, people are traits in the streets in

1:18:28 > 1:18:34the dead of night, phone us up and off-load -- people are traipsing the

1:18:34 > 1:18:41streets.Thank you very much, both of you. The grim for health and

1:18:41 > 1:18:46well-being service and the Samaritans, thank you -- the

1:18:46 > 1:18:49Grenfell health and well-being service.

1:18:49 > 1:18:52The many heroes of Grenfell Tower fire will be celebrated today -

1:18:52 > 1:18:55the emergency services, the firefighters and the community

1:18:55 > 1:18:57who rallied around together to offer immediate help,

1:18:57 > 1:19:00support and shelter, and who are still doing so six months

1:19:00 > 1:19:09on, as Noel Phillips reports.

1:19:13 > 1:19:18As people frantically searched for their missing loved ones,

1:19:18 > 1:19:21the immediate help they received in the aftermath of the fire

1:19:21 > 1:19:22was from their community.

1:19:22 > 1:19:24Please stop, just stop.

1:19:24 > 1:19:27Clothes are going here.

1:19:27 > 1:19:29Food only is going here.

1:19:29 > 1:19:31The atmosphere of solidarity saw thousands unite

1:19:31 > 1:19:35to mourn with people here.

1:19:35 > 1:19:39Volunteers from across the country and as far as New York came to help

1:19:39 > 1:19:40in whatever way they could.

1:19:40 > 1:19:43I lived in New York when the towers came down and it was very...

1:19:43 > 1:19:46Reminiscent of that.

1:19:46 > 1:19:48Just generally, you want to help.

1:19:48 > 1:19:51You want to do whatever you can.

1:19:51 > 1:19:55I've got a week off and I will just give my time to do what needs doing.

1:19:55 > 1:19:57Thanks to the community, we are managing.

1:19:57 > 1:20:02Millions of pounds were also raised to support survivors.

1:20:02 > 1:20:04Clothing, bedding and food poured into local warehouses, churches,

1:20:04 > 1:20:08mosques and community centres.

1:20:08 > 1:20:10There were Muslim people donating to churches.

1:20:10 > 1:20:13I was one of them.

1:20:13 > 1:20:17There were Christian people donating to, you know, mosques,

1:20:17 > 1:20:18knowing whatever is easy and closer.

1:20:18 > 1:20:21The lights went off in the staircase as well.

1:20:21 > 1:20:26As local residents tried to piece their lives back together,

1:20:26 > 1:20:29a royal visit and thank you from the Queen and Prince

1:20:29 > 1:20:34William to volunteers.

1:20:34 > 1:20:36# I don't know where to begin so I'll start by saying

1:20:36 > 1:20:38# I refuse to forget you...#.

1:20:38 > 1:20:42As well as their generosity, celebrities also offered to help.

1:20:42 > 1:20:44# For every last soul in Grenfell, even though

1:20:44 > 1:20:47# I never even met you...#.

1:20:47 > 1:20:52A charity single was released to raise money for those affected.

1:20:53 > 1:20:56This is Gemma.

1:20:56 > 1:20:58She's the mother of the actor and director Noel Clarke,

1:20:58 > 1:21:01who was born just 100 yards from Grenfell Tower.

1:21:01 > 1:21:04He returned to his local community to help search for the missing.

1:21:04 > 1:21:10That night, Gemma watched from her kitchen as the building was on fire.

1:21:10 > 1:21:12This is the side I've seen.

1:21:12 > 1:21:13I haven't seen nothing else.

1:21:13 > 1:21:14I've only seen this side .

1:21:14 > 1:21:18The blaze going up and down.

1:21:18 > 1:21:20And it burned that way, like a V.

1:21:20 > 1:21:21That's how it burned.

1:21:21 > 1:21:23It did not go across.

1:21:23 > 1:21:25And I watched that.

1:21:25 > 1:21:28What was that like?

1:21:28 > 1:21:30Sad.

1:21:30 > 1:21:34And I saw someone was crying, was waving out the window.

1:21:34 > 1:21:37But I heard he got out and he was partially

1:21:37 > 1:21:39blind or something.

1:21:39 > 1:21:41It was sad.

1:21:41 > 1:21:44It was hard work and I cried.

1:21:44 > 1:21:46I couldn't do anything, but I just watched.

1:21:46 > 1:21:49I have never seen something in my life like that.

1:21:49 > 1:21:53I wouldn't like to see something again like that.

1:21:53 > 1:21:57For Gemma, who has lived here since 1987, the memories

1:21:57 > 1:22:00of what she witnessed remains an open wound.

1:22:00 > 1:22:03Until this day, she refuses to talk about what she saw with anyone,

1:22:03 > 1:22:06including her own son.

1:22:06 > 1:22:08At the beginning, we talked about it, but not now.

1:22:08 > 1:22:12No.

1:22:12 > 1:22:16I don't talk about it again.

1:22:16 > 1:22:19Every time he comes to see me, we look at it and we think of it

1:22:20 > 1:22:21but I don't talk about it.

1:22:21 > 1:22:25I don't talk about it with anyone, to be honest.

1:22:25 > 1:22:27This community still bears the scars of what happened

1:22:27 > 1:22:34here on the 14th of June.

1:22:34 > 1:22:37Like many people, I was here in the aftermath of the fire

1:22:37 > 1:22:40and saw just how desperate people were, searching for their missing

1:22:40 > 1:22:45loved ones and sticking photos and posters on the walls.

1:22:45 > 1:22:47But now people want their lives back.

1:22:47 > 1:22:49They want normality.

1:22:49 > 1:22:53Most of all, they want justice.

1:22:53 > 1:22:59Niles is one of the many people in the community providing

1:22:59 > 1:23:04psychological support to survivors.

1:23:04 > 1:23:07He runs this centre with volunteers.

1:23:07 > 1:23:09Despite their grief, Niles says he is starting to see

1:23:09 > 1:23:11some small signs of progress for many of these vulnerable

1:23:11 > 1:23:13people he sees daily.

1:23:13 > 1:23:19As a community, we're moving on.

1:23:19 > 1:23:21In the initial stages, it was people like ourselves

1:23:21 > 1:23:23in the community who was doing those services when nobody

1:23:23 > 1:23:24else was around.

1:23:24 > 1:23:27It is now nearly six months afterwards.

1:23:27 > 1:23:30And there are still people we see every day who are going

1:23:30 > 1:23:32through the same problems they was going through five

1:23:32 > 1:23:36months ago, six months ago, four months ago.

1:23:36 > 1:23:40It is not changing.

1:23:40 > 1:23:42Since escaping the 20th floor with her partner, Luke,

1:23:42 > 1:23:47Emma says she is now haunted by nightmares and flashbacks.

1:23:47 > 1:23:53When you can't sleep, then when you do sleep,

1:23:53 > 1:23:55you have the nightmare, even worse, and you're even worse

1:23:55 > 1:23:57than when you started.

1:23:57 > 1:24:01They are such horrible things to go back to.

1:24:01 > 1:24:05Are people united, despite what has happened?

1:24:05 > 1:24:11They seem to be very united around the area.

1:24:11 > 1:24:13We have still got loads of messages on the walls and fences,

1:24:14 > 1:24:17which I think is really great.

1:24:17 > 1:24:26From different faiths as well, it's been amazing to view.

1:24:26 > 1:24:28Seven British nationals from the Ethiopian community

1:24:28 > 1:24:31lost their lives in Grenfell Tower.

1:24:31 > 1:24:40Hashim, his wife, daughter and two sons never made it out.

1:24:40 > 1:24:43I spoke to him until the 46 one, that is the last word,

1:24:43 > 1:24:46the last one, he said, "My daughter, she is on fire",

1:24:46 > 1:24:47and dropped the phone, and just ran.

1:24:47 > 1:24:48He grabs.

1:24:48 > 1:24:50I don't know the end.

1:24:50 > 1:24:51The phone went dead.

1:24:51 > 1:24:53That is what got stuck in your head?

1:24:53 > 1:24:54Yes, it's there.

1:24:54 > 1:24:56When Johnny moved to the UK from Ethiopia 17 years ago,

1:24:56 > 1:24:59he met Hashim in this area and they became best friends.

1:24:59 > 1:25:01He is a guy to have a laugh.

1:25:01 > 1:25:04Here's a guy that you smile.

1:25:04 > 1:25:06And just a kind of, I don't know...

1:25:06 > 1:25:08I can't express it.

1:25:08 > 1:25:13He is a guy, he just, he is one of the nicest guys to meet.

1:25:13 > 1:25:15If you meet him, you would understand, it is hard to express

1:25:15 > 1:25:18what kind of person he is.

1:25:18 > 1:25:22Even the kids and his wife as well, just such amazing people there.

1:25:22 > 1:25:27In the shadow of what remains of Grenfell on Bramley Road,

1:25:27 > 1:25:29I meet Theresa, who has lived opposite the tower

1:25:29 > 1:25:30for over 30 years.

1:25:30 > 1:25:37She comes here every day to ensure memorials are looked after.

1:25:37 > 1:25:40I don't want them to be forgotten and it looks

1:25:40 > 1:25:50like it is being forgotten.

1:25:50 > 1:25:53It's yesterday's news, and 71 people more died that night.

1:25:53 > 1:25:5571 people, the highest concentration in peacetime Britain.

1:25:55 > 1:25:58And no more, nothing has been heard of it.

1:25:58 > 1:26:00Six months down the line, everything is, you know...

1:26:00 > 1:26:02And I don't want that to happen.

1:26:02 > 1:26:05I don't want them to be forgotten.

1:26:05 > 1:26:08They were our community, they were our hope for the future.

1:26:08 > 1:26:12There were some very bright sparks in that fire,

1:26:12 > 1:26:14such clever, clever people, young girls and boys played a big

1:26:15 > 1:26:18part in the community.

1:26:18 > 1:26:21Out of the smoke and sadness of this tragedy was the response

1:26:21 > 1:26:25of volunteers, which could not have been more different

1:26:25 > 1:26:31to that of politicians.

1:26:31 > 1:26:34As they struggled to respond to this disaster, people in this west London

1:26:34 > 1:26:36community rallied together to help their friends

1:26:36 > 1:26:46and neighbours who were desperately in need of help.

1:26:47 > 1:26:51Noel Phillips reporting on how the Grenfell community have played such

1:26:51 > 1:26:58an important role in the relief effort, a remarkable role, actually.

1:26:58 > 1:27:01This morning, we're broadcasting live from St Paul's Cathedral ahead

1:27:01 > 1:27:06of the national memorial service to Grenfell which begins at 11am.

1:27:06 > 1:27:10Political leaders will be arriving, including the Prime Minister. The

1:27:10 > 1:27:14service is being held today following a request from survivors

1:27:14 > 1:27:19and families who wanted a national moment, a time to bring the nation

1:27:19 > 1:27:25together to remember those who lost their lives. To show solidarity with

1:27:25 > 1:27:29the breathed the survivors and also to give thanks to everyone who

1:27:29 > 1:27:33helped on the ground at the time of the tragedy and since, including

1:27:33 > 1:27:38emergency services, the recovery team, the community response, public

1:27:38 > 1:27:42support, and all the hundreds of volunteers. Remember, they came from

1:27:42 > 1:27:47all over the country. They helped in the days after the fire. The Prince

1:27:47 > 1:27:52of Wales will be here in half an hour. The Duke and Duchess of

1:27:52 > 1:27:57Cambridge and Prince Harry are going to arrive just before 11am. The

1:27:57 > 1:28:04Prime Minister is due in the next half an hour as well. The chair of

1:28:04 > 1:28:07Grenfell United described the service like this, December the 14th

1:28:07 > 1:28:10will be a special day for the community, we are coming together to

1:28:10 > 1:28:14remember their loved ones we lost in the fire, to unite as a community

1:28:14 > 1:28:19and to start to build hope for the future. We hope we can come together

1:28:19 > 1:28:23as a nation and show our support to the bereaved families, the survivors

1:28:23 > 1:28:31of the tower and the community. The service will be multi-faith, there

1:28:31 > 1:28:34will also be a sound montage of anonymous real voices from the

1:28:34 > 1:28:35community.

1:28:35 > 1:28:37Right now, viewers on BBC Two

1:28:37 > 1:28:39are leaving us and we're continuing our coverage

1:28:39 > 1:28:43on the BBC News Channel.

1:28:50 > 1:28:55The service will involve music from a steel band, from the Salvation

1:28:55 > 1:28:59Army and an Islamic girls choir and the St Paul's Cathedral choir. It

1:28:59 > 1:29:05promises to be very moving and also very powerful. After a brief address

1:29:05 > 1:29:09from the Bishop of Kensington, breed families and survivors will leave

1:29:09 > 1:29:16the cathedral together through the Great West Door. -- bereaved. In

1:29:16 > 1:29:19silence and holding white roses.

1:29:20 > 1:29:21Time for the latest news.

1:29:21 > 1:29:22Here's Julian.

1:29:22 > 1:29:25A memorial service is being held at St Paul's Cathedral this morning

1:29:25 > 1:29:27for the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower

1:29:27 > 1:29:31fire in West London.

1:29:31 > 1:29:35People have begun arriving for the ceremony which will commemorate the

1:29:35 > 1:29:3871 people who were killed when the fire tore

1:29:38 > 1:29:40through the tower block, six months ago today.

1:29:40 > 1:29:42Members of the royal family, including Prince Charles

1:29:42 > 1:29:45and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be among the 1,500

1:29:45 > 1:29:47people who are expected to attend.

1:29:47 > 1:29:49Theresa May is due at a summit in Brussels,

1:29:49 > 1:29:51hours after Conservative rebels in the Commons defeated

1:29:51 > 1:29:53the Government in a key Brexit vote.

1:29:53 > 1:29:56MPs backed an amendment giving them a legal guarantee of a vote

1:29:56 > 1:29:59on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.

1:29:59 > 1:30:03One rebel, Stephen Hammond, was sacked by the Prime Minister

1:30:03 > 1:30:09as a party vice chairman in the aftermath of the vote.

1:30:09 > 1:30:11A third person has been charged with the murder of four children

1:30:11 > 1:30:14who died in a fire at a house in Salford, in Greater

1:30:14 > 1:30:16Manchester, on Monday.

1:30:16 > 1:30:18The 25-year-old man who's from the area has also been charged

1:30:18 > 1:30:23with attempted murder and arson.

1:30:23 > 1:30:26The medical charity, MSF, says it believes more than 6,500

1:30:26 > 1:30:28Rohingya Muslims were killed in the violence that

1:30:28 > 1:30:31began in Myanmar in late August.

1:30:31 > 1:30:34The estimate is based on interviews with some of the 600,000

1:30:34 > 1:30:42Rohingyas who've fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

1:30:42 > 1:30:44The Hollywood actor Salma Hayek has become the latest

1:30:44 > 1:30:46celebrity to accuse Harvey Weinstein of harassment.

1:30:46 > 1:30:49In an article for the New York Times, she wrote that the film

1:30:49 > 1:30:51producer threatened to kill her and described him as

1:30:51 > 1:30:53a "rage fuelled monster".

1:30:53 > 1:30:58A spokesperson for Mr Weinstein disputed the actor's account.

1:30:58 > 1:31:00British doctors say they've made a significant break-through

1:31:00 > 1:31:02in the treatment of haemophilia A.

1:31:02 > 1:31:05Around 2,000 people in the UK have the genetic defect

1:31:05 > 1:31:08which means their blood cannot clot properly.

1:31:08 > 1:31:12The research team at Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University

1:31:12 > 1:31:15of London used gene therapy to correct the defect

1:31:15 > 1:31:17in a small safety trial.

1:31:17 > 1:31:24All of the 13 patients who took part no longer need treatment.

1:31:24 > 1:31:27The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, says the NHS in England will become

1:31:27 > 1:31:31the first healthcare system in the world to publish the numbers

1:31:31 > 1:31:34of deaths of patients caused by problems with their care.

1:31:34 > 1:31:37Most NHS trusts in England will publish

1:31:37 > 1:31:41the data on avoidable deaths by the end of this year,

1:31:41 > 1:31:43with the rest to follow soon after.

1:31:43 > 1:31:46It's estimated up to 9,000 people die each year because of problems

1:31:46 > 1:31:52or failings in NHS care.

1:31:52 > 1:32:02That's a summary of the latest BBC News.

1:32:02 > 1:32:11you can hear the bells of St Paul's. It is half now before the National

1:32:11 > 1:32:15memorial service begins. Members of the medical emergency services

1:32:15 > 1:32:19heading into the cathedral now. Around 1500 people will be filling

1:32:19 > 1:32:24the cathedral. They are obviously survivors, relatives of those who

1:32:24 > 1:32:28died. Many, many members of the Grenfell Tower community in

1:32:28 > 1:32:32Kensington. Leaders and representatives of different faiths

1:32:32 > 1:32:42and the emergency services. Let's bring you the latest sport now.

1:32:42 > 1:32:53A century from Dawid Malan has helped England as they ended day one

1:32:53 > 1:33:03on 305-4. David Silva inspired Manchester City to 15th straight

1:33:03 > 1:33:12Premier League win. Arsenal were held by West Ham. Chris Froome has

1:33:12 > 1:33:18said his legacy will not be tainted afterwards found he had more than

1:33:18 > 1:33:22the legal amount of asthma drug in his you're in. Katie Taylor said she

1:33:22 > 1:33:27had to be a best as she defended her lightweight title with a unanimous

1:33:27 > 1:33:31points victory over the Americans with Jessica McAskill. That is all

1:33:31 > 1:33:36the sport you can get the best of the details on the website and the

1:33:36 > 1:33:39app. Thank you.

1:33:39 > 1:33:45The national memorial service for Grenfell Tower here at St Paul's it

1:33:45 > 1:33:51begins at 11 o'clock. At about five to 11 will be crossing to Michelle

1:33:51 > 1:33:57Hussain, who will guide you through the service will stop many more

1:33:57 > 1:34:02arrivals going onto the steps of St Paul's. What you probably cannot see

1:34:02 > 1:34:07is the number of armed police officers and sniffer dogs. There is,

1:34:07 > 1:34:10as you would expect, a decent police presence in order to make people

1:34:10 > 1:34:17feel secure. There is the Bishop of Kensington, Graham Tomlin, greeting

1:34:17 > 1:34:22guests as they arrive on the steps. He was telling us earlier it was

1:34:22 > 1:34:25really important for him that he will give a short address during the

1:34:25 > 1:34:30service. It was really important for him to bring people together and

1:34:30 > 1:34:35talk not only about those who died, to remember those who died, and also

1:34:35 > 1:34:38talk about hope for the future, which he acknowledged was

1:34:38 > 1:34:41challenging when you consider the circumstances those who survived

1:34:41 > 1:34:50still find themselves in. It is an illustration again today, talking to

1:34:50 > 1:34:56people from Grenfell Tower, showing you the dramatic effects that are

1:34:56 > 1:34:58continuing on the close-knit community and the wider community

1:34:58 > 1:35:03around the tower as welcome at those who lost relatives in June, the long

1:35:03 > 1:35:07journey to rebuild and recover is only just beginning for Salmond has

1:35:07 > 1:35:11not started for others.

1:35:11 > 1:35:15With me here is Fatima Mohamed, a mum of four who lived at the base

1:35:15 > 1:35:17of the tower and lost a close friend in the fire.

1:35:17 > 1:35:19And Linda Magistris who runs a bereavement charity

1:35:19 > 1:35:26The Good Grief Trust.

1:35:26 > 1:35:30Thanks to both of you for talking to us today. Fatima, you lived in a

1:35:30 > 1:35:37walkway near the tower. And you have sought help from the charity. How

1:35:37 > 1:35:45has she been able to help?Linda is a really amazing person. She does a

1:35:45 > 1:35:52lot of work. She is so amazing. I had a pampering day, my nails done

1:35:52 > 1:35:58and make up. It was so nice of her. I am more calm as it helped me to

1:35:58 > 1:36:05relax.What effect do you think seeing the fire that night has had

1:36:05 > 1:36:13on you and your children?I just felt so stressed. It was so hard. I

1:36:13 > 1:36:19didn't know if I could have myself or my children. I was so lost. And I

1:36:19 > 1:36:23met somebody like Linda and I attended some activities. It was

1:36:23 > 1:36:29just so nice. It was something... I cannot describe how good I felt

1:36:29 > 1:36:35afterwards.Linda, semi-people have been affected. Tell us about some of

1:36:35 > 1:36:40the work you have been doing on the ground.I lost my partner three

1:36:40 > 1:36:45years ago to cancer. I had a really difficult time trying to find

1:36:45 > 1:36:49support. We have launched a trust bringing all the Baru and services

1:36:49 > 1:36:56together under a new website. We have over 530 organisations. People

1:36:56 > 1:37:00in the cathedral here who have lost somebody can find local support that

1:37:00 > 1:37:04is targeted at them but we are all different. We all need something

1:37:04 > 1:37:09different when we are grieving. That is why our trust is able to help

1:37:09 > 1:37:16people across our country. We are hoping that what we can do is launch

1:37:16 > 1:37:22a new initiative so that anybody who leaves hospital or hospice or goes

1:37:22 > 1:37:30through traumatic grief Fatima's family can find support very

1:37:30 > 1:37:35quickly. The support at the time of death is key to moving forward.Tell

1:37:35 > 1:37:42us what today means to you.It is a sad day. I am remembering

1:37:42 > 1:37:49everything, remembering my friend who died in the fire. Yesterday, I

1:37:49 > 1:37:53took my son to a clinic to see one of the mental health team doctors.

1:37:53 > 1:37:58We were so sad to know my son was not able to talk about it to me that

1:37:58 > 1:38:04he could to the doctor. I felt really sad, to be honest.Thank you

1:38:04 > 1:38:11both for coming onto the programme.

1:38:11 > 1:38:12Clearly, for the surviving residents of Grenfell,

1:38:12 > 1:38:14their lives changed forever six months ago.

1:38:14 > 1:38:17Everything they knew was turned upside in those few horrific hours.

1:38:17 > 1:38:20Our reporter Ashley John Baptiste has been talking to some of those

1:38:20 > 1:38:25affected to hear how what their life was like before.

1:38:25 > 1:38:26So, hiya.

1:38:26 > 1:38:28My name is Paul Menacer.

1:38:28 > 1:38:31I lived in flat 33 Grenfell Tower, on the sixth floor, and I was living

1:38:32 > 1:38:37and caring for my sick uncle.

1:38:37 > 1:38:39I'm Mrs Mamudu.

1:38:39 > 1:38:45I lived in Grenfell Tower with Tyrshondre Petralias, my grandson.

1:38:45 > 1:38:51I'd definitely say life wasn't amazing, but I'd say life was OK.

1:38:51 > 1:38:53I never felt I lacked anything in that tower.

1:38:53 > 1:38:57I was happy.

1:38:57 > 1:39:02I was working, playing football, being very social with my friends,

1:39:02 > 1:39:04going out, doing things that any other 22 year old

1:39:04 > 1:39:06would do at the time.

1:39:06 > 1:39:09Around this time last year, we moved into Grenfell Tower

1:39:09 > 1:39:15from Wandsworth, with Tyrshondre.

1:39:15 > 1:39:24And we were just busy settling down, settling down in Grenfell Tower.

1:39:24 > 1:39:27It was always, I mean, a good sort of vibe to be around.

1:39:27 > 1:39:31Lovely community, lovely environment.

1:39:31 > 1:39:36Everybody in the tower was so friendly and welcoming.

1:39:36 > 1:39:40It was a very good place to actually be in, actually grow up around.

1:39:40 > 1:39:43I felt like it was home.

1:39:43 > 1:39:53In 2010, I lost my mum and my dad in the space of three months.

1:39:53 > 1:39:57My mum had a brain tumour.

1:39:57 > 1:40:02And my dad had a heart attack, and I came home

1:40:02 > 1:40:05and I found him dead.

1:40:05 > 1:40:09I feel like, in a sense, cursed by all this.

1:40:09 > 1:40:12That out of every tower block in this country,

1:40:12 > 1:40:15it had to be that one that goes up in fire.

1:40:15 > 1:40:19Six months on since the Grenfell Tower fire,

1:40:19 > 1:40:25Paul and I have come to revisit what remains of the block.

1:40:25 > 1:40:27What's it like just walking back to the tower?

1:40:27 > 1:40:30It brings back memories...

1:40:30 > 1:40:33It brings back memories of, er, every day, I used to, like,

1:40:33 > 1:40:35do things on a day-to-day basis like going to football,

1:40:35 > 1:40:37going to work and stuff like that.

1:40:37 > 1:40:41But it just looks so much more quiet than how it used to be around here.

1:40:41 > 1:40:44It's like a ghost town sort of thing when you look at it.

1:40:44 > 1:40:48I was fast asleep and I woke up to the sounds of screaming from people.

1:40:48 > 1:40:50And obviously, knowing the procedure for the building

1:40:50 > 1:40:53was stay in your flat, I didn't take too much notice of it.

1:40:53 > 1:40:54So I started coughing quite a lot.

1:40:54 > 1:40:57So I said to myself, I have to go downstairs.

1:40:57 > 1:40:59So then I literally went down the stairwell.

1:40:59 > 1:41:02I get down to the bottom and as soon as I go out

1:41:02 > 1:41:04of the building, I looked up.

1:41:04 > 1:41:07And then from the third floor all the way up to the 24th floor,

1:41:07 > 1:41:09on one side, it was covered in black smoke.

1:41:09 > 1:41:11Covered in flames.

1:41:11 > 1:41:15I could seep dead bodies that, obviously, I could tell had probably

1:41:15 > 1:41:19jumped off the building to try and escape the fire.

1:41:19 > 1:41:23Seeing the fire rise and going into people's flats

1:41:23 > 1:41:26and the screaming that I heard that night in particular,

1:41:26 > 1:41:29it's just so traumatic.

1:41:29 > 1:41:32But, yeah, I think the best word to describe it would be lifeless.

1:41:32 > 1:41:33Lifeless?

1:41:33 > 1:41:37Yeah.

1:41:37 > 1:41:40This Grenfell Tower fire is worse than losing my mum and my dad.

1:41:40 > 1:41:42People that you meet on a day-to-day basis,

1:41:42 > 1:41:45people you make friends with in the lift, you don't know

1:41:45 > 1:41:47if they passed away or not.

1:41:47 > 1:41:50I mean, memories that I've had in that flat, gone.

1:41:50 > 1:41:54It was those memories that led him to go back to the tower last month

1:41:54 > 1:41:56with police supervision to collect items from his flat

1:41:56 > 1:41:59that survived the fire.

1:41:59 > 1:42:02I had to literally force myself to go back in there.

1:42:02 > 1:42:05And the only reason why I went back in there

1:42:05 > 1:42:06was because of this jewellery box.

1:42:06 > 1:42:09And that's the only thing left I've got of my mum,

1:42:09 > 1:42:12and her pictures that were actually inside of it.

1:42:12 > 1:42:14Can we see what's inside?

1:42:14 > 1:42:16Of course you can.

1:42:16 > 1:42:20So that's one of the ones that were actually completely damaged,

1:42:20 > 1:42:22but I still took it.

1:42:22 > 1:42:23From the water damage of the flat.

1:42:23 > 1:42:26It's my mum's grave.

1:42:26 > 1:42:29So that's like me and my mum there.

1:42:29 > 1:42:37When she was pretty.

1:42:37 > 1:42:39-- pretty ill.

1:42:39 > 1:42:43This is a picture that means a lot to me and I'm really glad that I got

1:42:43 > 1:42:45the chance to go back in there and have, keep

1:42:45 > 1:42:46this picture of her.

1:42:46 > 1:42:47See, more pictures like that.

1:42:47 > 1:42:48Me and my mum.

1:42:48 > 1:42:49Aw!

1:42:49 > 1:42:51And these pictures, you know, they're priceless.

1:42:51 > 1:42:52This meant the world to me.

1:42:52 > 1:42:55This would be like losing another life to me.

1:42:55 > 1:42:58Because these pictures are the only things I've got left of my mum.

1:42:58 > 1:42:59Especially her jewellery box.

1:42:59 > 1:43:02So to lose all that would be losing her all over again.

1:43:02 > 1:43:06This time last year, I was very excited about Christmas.

1:43:06 > 1:43:08This time of year, it's all about being close,

1:43:08 > 1:43:10going out with friends.

1:43:10 > 1:43:14A year on, I mean, how things have changed in such a quick time.

1:43:14 > 1:43:17Normally, we get to Christmas with the little boy,

1:43:17 > 1:43:20which we'd go shopping for together.

1:43:20 > 1:43:23Well, this Christmas, I don't feel like I'll be...

1:43:23 > 1:43:27Could be myself.

1:43:27 > 1:43:29I've never spent Christmas in a hotel, without

1:43:29 > 1:43:30cooking for my family.

1:43:30 > 1:43:32It's not...

1:43:32 > 1:43:34It's not a good situation to be in, especially over Christmas.

1:43:34 > 1:43:36It's not going to be a happy time.

1:43:36 > 1:43:46Christmas is meant for family to be together.

1:43:56 > 1:43:59Right now, I don't feel no optimism whatsoever.

1:43:59 > 1:44:03I don't feel excited in any way, shape or form.

1:44:03 > 1:44:13I just feel...lonely.

1:44:16 > 1:44:20Like Paul, Mrs Mamudu has also faced loneliness since the fire.

1:44:20 > 1:44:23Living in a hotel room with her grandson, she lacks

1:44:23 > 1:44:25community and hasn't been able to cook for six months.

1:44:25 > 1:44:29Today, she's cooking for the first time since the fire

1:44:29 > 1:44:31with her daughter, Khadija, and other survivors

1:44:31 > 1:44:34at a local community centre.

1:44:34 > 1:44:35Ashley, I need help.

1:44:35 > 1:44:37Yep, I'm coming.

1:44:37 > 1:44:40How can I help?

1:44:40 > 1:44:41I need to stick some of this...

1:44:41 > 1:44:42Put in here.

1:44:42 > 1:44:43What is that?

1:44:43 > 1:44:44Coconut oil.

1:44:44 > 1:44:46Cool!

1:44:46 > 1:44:47Got it, got it.

1:44:47 > 1:44:48Khadija...

1:44:48 > 1:44:50Mrs Mamudu, how much of this do you want?

1:44:50 > 1:44:51More.

1:44:51 > 1:44:52More.

1:44:52 > 1:44:53More.

1:44:53 > 1:44:54She wants more.

1:44:54 > 1:44:56It's a real privilege to be here.

1:44:56 > 1:44:59This is the first time that Mrs Mamudu has been able

1:44:59 > 1:45:01to cook since the fire.

1:45:01 > 1:45:04She's still, six months on, living in a hotel, and this

1:45:04 > 1:45:10is a big deal for her.

1:45:10 > 1:45:13She's cooking some Nigerian cuisine with some of her family and some

1:45:13 > 1:45:15of the local residents, and there's a real sense

1:45:15 > 1:45:17of community and home in the lead-up to Christmas.

1:45:17 > 1:45:21It's a really nice environment for her.

1:45:21 > 1:45:22How's that been for you?

1:45:22 > 1:45:24Uplifting.

1:45:24 > 1:45:25Uplifting.

1:45:25 > 1:45:26How so?

1:45:26 > 1:45:28It makes me just feel...

1:45:28 > 1:45:30For a moment.

1:45:30 > 1:45:33For a moment, for the people, we've survived together,

1:45:33 > 1:45:39to all get together and be happy.

1:45:39 > 1:45:40We're entering a new year.

1:45:40 > 1:45:42What hopes do you have for 2018?

1:45:42 > 1:45:43Nothing.

1:45:43 > 1:45:44Blank.

1:45:44 > 1:45:47Because I don't know where I'll be.

1:45:47 > 1:45:51Right now, things are bleak.

1:45:51 > 1:45:53If we're being honest, you have been offered four properties.

1:45:53 > 1:45:54Yes.

1:45:54 > 1:45:55Why...

1:45:55 > 1:45:59Why have you turned them all down?

1:45:59 > 1:46:02They said Grenfell would be lost, they would give us

1:46:02 > 1:46:07the properties like what we lost.

1:46:07 > 1:46:10They came and they took down our requirements

1:46:10 > 1:46:12more than eight times.

1:46:12 > 1:46:13Eight times.

1:46:13 > 1:46:15Still, yes, they got it wrong.

1:46:15 > 1:46:19Still.

1:46:19 > 1:46:22So they still take us to a property, I cannot go in with my wheelchair.

1:46:22 > 1:46:24Do you think survivors have been too picky?

1:46:24 > 1:46:28That's the wrong word to use.

1:46:28 > 1:46:31They are not being given the right thing that has been assessed.

1:46:31 > 1:46:34I'm now mostly in pain.

1:46:34 > 1:46:35All we eat now is restaurant.

1:46:35 > 1:46:37We cannot cook.

1:46:37 > 1:46:44Six months.

1:46:44 > 1:46:50Six months on, I don't think things have changed dramatically.

1:46:50 > 1:46:52I mean, you still have a lot of people that are,

1:46:52 > 1:46:57I would say, in temporary flats or temporary accommodation.

1:46:57 > 1:47:01There are still people in hotels.

1:47:01 > 1:47:06Even me, at my age - I'm 69 - I have changed.

1:47:06 > 1:47:09Tyrshondre has totally changed.

1:47:09 > 1:47:13He was a happy little go-lucky child, but now

1:47:13 > 1:47:16he's like...the reverse.

1:47:16 > 1:47:18I always feel sad.

1:47:18 > 1:47:21I don't really ever want to leave my hotel room.

1:47:21 > 1:47:24We have no dignity, no respect, nobody even remembers we are there.

1:47:24 > 1:47:25People don't deserve this.

1:47:25 > 1:47:26They don't.

1:47:26 > 1:47:31They didn't put themselves in this predicament.

1:47:31 > 1:47:33This time last year, football played a significant

1:47:33 > 1:47:34role in Paul's life.

1:47:34 > 1:47:38Since the fire, however, he hasn't played.

1:47:38 > 1:47:40Wanting to move forward with his life, this is the first

1:47:40 > 1:47:44time that Paul's come back to his training ground.

1:47:44 > 1:47:47Do you think you're going to be able to forget about Grenfell

1:47:47 > 1:47:50and everything, just for half an hour to an hour, just

1:47:50 > 1:47:53to catch up with your mates and play some football?

1:47:53 > 1:47:55It's going to, for me, it's going to be difficult.

1:47:55 > 1:47:56It's going to be difficult.

1:47:56 > 1:47:58But I think I've got to try.

1:47:58 > 1:48:01I'm probably a little bit rusty, to be perfectly honest with you,

1:48:01 > 1:48:03but I'll let the football do the talking.

1:48:03 > 1:48:04Oh, OK, bro!

1:48:04 > 1:48:06Let's do it!

1:48:06 > 1:48:07How're you doing, mate?

1:48:07 > 1:48:08Yeah, not bad.

1:48:08 > 1:48:09Nice to see you.

1:48:09 > 1:48:10You all right, yeah?

1:48:10 > 1:48:12Give me a hug.

1:48:12 > 1:48:14It's not every day you get a hug off this guy!

1:48:14 > 1:48:15No.

1:48:15 > 1:48:17It's not every day...

1:48:17 > 1:48:19I wasn't going to hug you, but I will!

1:48:19 > 1:48:20The boys are waiting for you, look.

1:48:20 > 1:48:21How's it going?

1:48:21 > 1:48:23Are you all right, mate, yeah?

1:48:23 > 1:48:25Football coach Rico has been a massive source

1:48:25 > 1:48:27of support for Paul, both before and after the fire,

1:48:27 > 1:48:30having even raised funds to help Paul get back on his feet.

1:48:30 > 1:48:32I want you to get everything out of your head.

1:48:32 > 1:48:34Forget it for one hour.

1:48:34 > 1:48:36You're going to get away from whatever's happened

1:48:36 > 1:48:38and we're going to get on with the football, yeah?

1:48:38 > 1:48:39Football is the answer, mate.

1:48:39 > 1:48:40All right?

1:48:40 > 1:48:41Come on.

1:48:41 > 1:48:44Let's go, big game's on Sunday!

1:49:02 > 1:49:08Great corner, Menacer!

1:49:08 > 1:49:11It took my mind off it, being back here, having you shouting at me.

1:49:11 > 1:49:13That's what took my mind off it a little bit.

1:49:13 > 1:49:17But at the same time, I know I need to get back into shape,

1:49:17 > 1:49:19start coming to football more, start coming back.

1:49:19 > 1:49:20Good.

1:49:20 > 1:49:23Do you think you're going to keep coming back every week now, yeah?

1:49:23 > 1:49:24Yeah, 100%.

1:49:24 > 1:49:25Promise me that, yeah?

1:49:25 > 1:49:26Promise you.

1:49:26 > 1:49:27OK, good.

1:49:27 > 1:49:28I'm going to...

1:49:28 > 1:49:30I'm going to take you up on that, yeah?

1:49:30 > 1:49:31Right, your team-mates are waiting for you,

1:49:32 > 1:49:33Yes, Menacer!

1:49:33 > 1:49:35Keep going, son, keep going!

1:49:35 > 1:49:38Keep going.

1:49:38 > 1:49:41As survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire take the necessary steps

1:49:41 > 1:49:46to rebuild their lives, scores still remain homeless,

1:49:46 > 1:49:48dispersed across West London hotels and service apartments.

1:49:48 > 1:49:50And as Christmas looms, it's the small acts of community

1:49:50 > 1:49:54and recreation that will provide survivors with any sense

1:49:54 > 1:50:00of normality and hope for the year ahead.

1:50:03 > 1:50:06Our reporter, Ashley John Baptiste, talking to Paul Menacer and Raksumu

1:50:06 > 1:50:11Mamudu about their lives this time last year compared to now.

1:50:11 > 1:50:14The royals have arrived, as you can see.

1:50:14 > 1:50:21The royals have arrived, as you can see. Princes William and Harry and

1:50:21 > 1:50:28Kate is there as well. Going up the steps. A little earlier, the Prime

1:50:28 > 1:50:32Minister was driven in to the side of the Cathedral. We saw the Labour

1:50:32 > 1:50:37leader Jeremy Corbyn is what. They are taking their seats. -- Jeremy

1:50:37 > 1:50:44Corbyn as well. The memorial service begins at 11am. Before that, we will

1:50:44 > 1:50:51hand over to Mishal Husain. John says, you're Grenfell survivor

1:50:51 > 1:50:55guests are speaking with so much grace, dignity and courage, the best

1:50:55 > 1:50:58of us, or you must all help they can move on with their lives at some

1:50:58 > 1:51:08point. Jackie says, sold solidarity with Grenfell today. You are a

1:51:08 > 1:51:12family and I feel you are a lot of people's family now, look after

1:51:12 > 1:51:17yourselves, I wish you well. Tom says, so moved hearing the Grenfell

1:51:17 > 1:51:22survivor speak, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Princes

1:51:22 > 1:51:31William and his wife and Prince Harry are about to go inside St

1:51:31 > 1:51:40Paul's Cathedral, as everybody settles down ahead of 11am.

1:51:45 > 1:51:51We will be crossing live to the beginning of the service, as you

1:51:51 > 1:51:57would expect, on BBC News and on BBC One. We will talk now to one man who

1:51:57 > 1:52:03has been helping survivors.

1:52:03 > 1:52:08Imrad Madden is from the Islamic Relief Fund.

1:52:08 > 1:52:12Six months ago, the very dreadful morning, we woke up to those seems

1:52:12 > 1:52:20that everyone saw of the fire. I represent Islamic relief, and

1:52:20 > 1:52:23international humanitarian aid organisation. We have got emergency

1:52:23 > 1:52:28operations around the world, so instinctively, we felt there was

1:52:28 > 1:52:33perhaps a need for us to respond. Initially, we thought that might be

1:52:33 > 1:52:3924 hours, 48 hours. We sent volunteers. We provided things like

1:52:39 > 1:52:42water and food. Because of the humanitarian instincts, we quickly

1:52:42 > 1:52:47realised there was going to be significant unmet needs. In time.

1:52:47 > 1:52:50Whilst we were quite happy to provide that initial support, we

1:52:50 > 1:52:58came together as a group of charities forming the Grenfell

1:52:58 > 1:53:02Muslim response unit to pool resources, talk to the community

1:53:02 > 1:53:05with one voice and underpin something very important to us which

1:53:05 > 1:53:09is dignity and that is something we can bring from international aid,

1:53:09 > 1:53:13whenever you are dealing with the community very badly affected,

1:53:13 > 1:53:16traumatised in many ways, you have to have a certain approach and we

1:53:16 > 1:53:19have been able to bring that experience from the field. What

1:53:19 > 1:53:25started with initial response of food and water, it converted into

1:53:25 > 1:53:30cash grants for people who needed help in the early days...Prince

1:53:30 > 1:53:35Charles and his wife arriving just behind us, you probably saw the car

1:53:35 > 1:53:41sweeping by, they are the final royals to arrive before the service

1:53:41 > 1:53:47begins.I apologise, sorry. We then committed to a longer term programme

1:53:47 > 1:53:53providing grants for people, helping with accommodation, and also things

1:53:53 > 1:53:57like burials. People needed to bury the dead, very difficult time, we

1:53:57 > 1:54:02provided financial assistance. And help them through the process as

1:54:02 > 1:54:11well. Thank you, Imrad.Since Charles and Camilla -- Prince

1:54:11 > 1:54:14Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arriving at the front of

1:54:14 > 1:54:19St Paul's, being escorted in through the front door, the final guests of

1:54:19 > 1:54:32honour to arrive before the national memorial service begins at 11am.