A Mitcham man cycled 100km across London on a single-speed bicycle to raise money for eight families who lost their homes in the devastating Belgrave Walk fire.
The fundraiser comes after a blaze tore through a council estate on Saturday, July 25, leaving eight neighbouring households displaced and destroying decades of memories, belongings and family homes.
Jake, who grew up on the Phipps Bridge estate and now lives in Mitcham, said he felt compelled to act after witnessing the aftermath of the fire.
He told Your Local Guardian: "I went to the fire as it was slowly being tamed; I felt the despair.
READ MORE: Belgrave Walk Mitcham fire - Pictures of the scene
"People I've seen through the estate for years, in nothing but their socks, sliders and gym shorts.
"I see the eyes inside that man, eyes like that are hard to forget."
Rather than standing by, Jake decided to organise a fundraising bike ride, setting himself the challenge of completing 100km in a single day.
The route began at Belgrave Walk before passing sites connected to some of London's most significant housing fires, including Kingston's Madingley fire, Camberwell's Lakanal House, Grenfell Tower and Ronan Point in east London.
Jake said the challenge was intended to show solidarity with families displaced by the Mitcham fire while highlighting wider conversations around housing and fire safety.
"Because I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help," he said.
"But I know I've found community in places I didn't see it coming from. I want to see more community, I think Londoners need it. I think we all do."
Reflecting on the devastation caused by the blaze, Jake said he “felt cut” after the tragedy.
He added: "These families went to work, the gym or a food shop perhaps. Then they returned to this? What would you do?"
Jake completed the challenge on what he described as his "silver surfer" - a single-speed bicycle, on Sunday.
"That's just my silver surfer, no gears mean just a puncture," he said.
Although he admits he had done little preparation for the ride, he hopes the challenge will encourage others to support those affected.
The fundraiser, which is aiming to raise £3,000, is still working to finalise how the money will be distributed.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
Jake said he has been speaking with charities, with Wimbledon Guild putting him in touch with Clarion Housing to help ensure the donations reach the families.
"The funds are safe and secure on GoFundMe as we lock down our beneficiary," he said.
He hopes the money will help provide essentials for those who have lost everything.
"Food. Socks. In an ideal world a back garden with some peace," he said.
"I wish the target was £100k per family, more. How do you buy back your aunt's ashes?"
Jake said the response from friends, colleagues and former university peers has been encouraging, even from people with no personal connection to Mitcham.
He explained: "I've had quite the internal gratitude from the current donors.
"Seeing work colleagues and university peers back a cause that doesn't affect them... we need more of it.
"People don't know how to be compassionate to others because they have not met themselves there. We must love people until they love themselves."
Jake hopes the fundraiser will encourage people to reflect on the importance of supporting those around them during difficult times.
He said: "I want people to ask themselves, when was the last time someone helped them?
"There's a lot of freedom to be found, freedom in beauty, freedom in discipline, and freedom in being of service.
"I pray such misfortune never reaches you."
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