England star Ryan Bertrand and former boxing world champ Amir Khan meet Grenfell Tower families


PREMIER LEAGUE star Ryan Bertrand and boxer Amir Khan have met with the Grenfell Tower families.

The Southampton defender has called for them to be given new homes nearby amid fears they could be moved miles away during the scramble for empty properties.

England star Ryan Bertrand says he wants to do more than just donate money to the victims of Grenfell Tower
England star Ryan Bertrand says he wants to do more than just donate money to the victims of Grenfell Tower
Getty Images
Ryan Bertrand has called for the victims to be re-housed nearby instead of being forced to move miles away
Ryan Bertrand has called for the victims to be re-housed nearby instead of being forced to move miles away
Reuters
Wednesday's tower block blaze has left at least 58 people feared dead
Wednesday’s tower block blaze has left at least 58 people feared dead
Getty Images

The England international, who won two caps last week playing for the Three Lions against Scotland and France, is teaming up with a housing trust to try and make sure they stay close by.


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Bertrand, born in the London borough of Southwark, is going to work with West London’s Rugby Portobello Trust.

They provide housing support to affect those affected by Wednesday’s tower block blaze that has left at least 58 people feared dead.

Bertrand wrote on Twitter: “I went to Grenfell Tower yesterday.

“I want to help, not just donate. I can’t think of all the answers but I can do what I feel is needed.

“Starting with rehousing the victims, and making sure they don’t leave the W11 post code. And remain on the emergency housing list.

“Monday I will be around @RugbyPortobello putting this plan into action. From 10:30am until progress has been made.”

Amir Khan visited the families affected by the tragedy on Saturday
Amir Khan visited the families affected by the tragedy on Saturday
EPA
Amir Khan has vowed to raise a 'lump sum' to support those affected
Amir Khan has vowed to raise a ‘lump sum’ to support those affected
PA:Press Association
Grenfell Tower has been left a charred shell while officers continue to search the building
Grenfell Tower has been left a charred shell while officers continue to search the building
EPA
The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the blaze in Grenfell Tower
The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the blaze in Grenfell Tower
Getty Images

Former world champion Khan vowed to donate a “lump sum” to the victims after speaking to local residents at Notting Hill Methodist Church, near Grenfell Tower, on Saturday.

He revealed that the Amir Khan Foundation will hold a dinner event in an effort to raise funds for the victims.

He posted a video of his visit onto his Twitter account, and told Sky News: “It’s very sad to be here and see this incident.

“I went to the local mosque to question what people need, how can the Amir Khan Foundation help these people?

“They don’t need food, they don’t need water, they don’t need clothing. What they need is financial support. They need money.

“I’ve decided that the Amir Khan Foundation will do a dinner event where we can support all these victims.

“All the money raised, I believe we can do a lump sum, will support these people. One thing I love is the community has come together, it’s stuck together.”

The duo are not the only ones from the sporting world who have offered help and support.

Met Police confirm at least 58 people who were in Grenfell Tower are missing and presumed dead
Amir Khan visits Kensington to offer support for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has promised to donate £50 to the victims for every minute he plays for Spain under-21s at the European Championship.

Scotland Yard will tomorrow release video and pictures from inside the burned out building.

Up to 400 people were officially reported missing, with 342 people now accounted for as alive.

"That number 58 may change. I really hope it won't, but it may increase", Commander Stuart Cundy of the Metropolitan Police warned in a press conference this afternoon.

"There may have been other people there on the night that people were not aware".

Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy described the Grenfell Tower blaze 'a truly shocking fire'
Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy described the Grenfell Tower blaze 'a truly shocking fire'
Bellerin could end up giving £22,500 is he plays every minute until the final
Bellerin could end up giving £22,500 is he plays every minute until the final
Rex Features
Hector Bellerin will represent Spain in the Under-21s Euros
Hector Bellerin will represent Spain in the Under-21s Euros
Rex Features
Bellerin pledged to help out the Grenfell victims on twitter
Bellerin pledged to help out the Grenfell victims on twitter
Twitter

In an appeal for information, he added: "If someone was in Grenfell Tower and they did not escape and have not make it know.

"I don’t care the reason why you haven’t told us so far. I want to know and we all want to know that you are safe and well."

Answering a question, he added that the refurbishment of the building which finished just weeks ago will form part of an ongoing criminal probe.

"The investigation will identify any criminal offence that has happened — It will be wide ranging", he added.

"It will look at the building and the refurbishment".

Commander Stuart Cundy of the Metropolitan Police's full statement on Grenfell Tower

we had to pause that search and recovery.

"I am now pleased to say that as of this afternoon we are now back in Grenfell tower.

"And our priority is to bring out those who are still in there.

"Over 6,000 calls have been received by the police and that's calls into centres up and down the United Kingdom.

"We have worked tirelessly to establish how many people we believe were in Grenfell tower on the night and at this point in time we are unable to say that they are safe or well."

"Sadly at this time there are 58 people who we have been told were in Grenfell tower on the night that are missing, and therefore sadly I have to assume that they are dead.

"We have family liaison officers supporting and working with a number of families.

"That is 52 families. That includes those who we believe died here at Grenfell tower, and those who are in critical care still in hospital.

"That number 58 may change. I really hope it won't. But it may increase.

"Our focus has been on those we know were in there, that we have been told were in Grenfell tower.

"However there may be other people who were in there on the night, but others may not have been aware were there.

"And also that is an absolute priority for the investigation to establish who they may be.

"If someone was in Grenfell tower and they did escape, and they haven't made it known to the police or to their family, I would urge them to contact the police casualty bureau.

"I don't care the reason why you haven't told us so far.

"I want to know and we all want to know that you are safe and well.

"We have colleagues in there as we speak, searching for and recovering those who have died.

"The time it is going to take us to undertake this search and recovery operation is going to be significant

"Both myself and colleagues from London Fire Brigade have already said it will take weeks.

"It may take longer than that. My commitment to families is that as soon as we can, we will locate and recover their loved ones.

"The reason we had to pause the search recovery yesterday was for the safety of our staff. I am sure you will all understand we do not want another fatality arising out of this tragedy.

"I really do understand the frustration of so many about not knowing the scale of the tragedy that's unfolding behind us.

"You have my absolute assurance that as soon as I can tell you something that I know to be accurate I will tell you.

"The investigation will be exhaustive. My intention is that it will help provide answers.

"If as we investigate we identify issues that are a risk to public safety, we will not be waiting until the end of the investigation before we provide that information to the appropriate authorities.

"If there are any safety issues that we, and other experts we will be using, identify, we will share that immediately.

"Finally, I would like to repeat what I have said before which is that my heart goes out, those of my colleagues, those of the wider emergency services, the community here, Londoners, and indeed everybody across this nation.

"Our thoughts are with you and you have my commitment that I will do whatever I can within my power to find the answers to what happened here."

Dramatic video shows frantic residents inside Grenwell Tower block engulfed in flames

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