A Gloucestershire police officer who lost his wife and two young children in a devastating Boxing Day house fire has been overwhelmed by public support, with a fundraising appeal soaring past a quarter of a million pounds.
Community Rallies After Unimaginable Loss
The tragedy struck at the family home in Brimscombe, near Stroud, on 26 December. PC Tom Shearman attempted a desperate rescue of his wife, Fionnghuala (known as Nu), their seven-year-old daughter Eve, and four-year-old son Ohner, but was beaten back by the intensity of the flames.
Despite his own efforts, which included escaping through a bathroom window in a bid to find another way in, he was unable to reach them. All three perished in the blaze, leaving the father-of-two, in the words of friends, "with nothing".
Fundraiser Smashes Target to Aid Rebuilding
In response to the catastrophe, an online GoFundMe appeal was swiftly established to help PC Shearman begin the long process of rebuilding his life. The initial target of £110,000 was met and then dramatically surpassed as the story touched hearts across the nation.
By the morning of Wednesday 31 December, the campaign had received donations from more than 12,400 people, amassing a total of over £257,000. The momentum continued, and the fund has since reached a staggering £267,624, with organisers setting a new goal of £350,000.
Friend Victoria Armstrong, commenting on the fundraiser, expressed profound gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support at an incredibly difficult time."
Ongoing Investigation into Fire Cause
Gloucestershire Constabulary has confirmed that their investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Early indications suggest the blaze began on the ground floor of the property.
A police spokesperson stated that the incident is not currently being treated as suspicious, though forensic work continues to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the horrific loss.
The sheer scale of the financial support demonstrates a powerful communal response to a private tragedy, offering a glimmer of practical hope to a man facing an unthinkable future.
