The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The grieving sons of Claire Hart have spoken of their gratitude for the love and support received since their mum, and sister Charlotte, were killed in an incident which shocked the nation.
Luke and Ryan Hart have drawn strength from the public’s reaction to the tragic shootings in Spalding just over a fortnight ago.
The domestic incident happened in the car park of the Castle Sports Complex swimming pool on July 19.
Kate Haynes, a longtime family friend and neighbour in Moulton’s Hatt Close, has begun an online appeal to help support the brothers.
She said: “What happened hit Moulton and touched Spalding.
“I know there are an awful lot of people who would like to say ‘we’re thinking of you’.
“Hopefully this will offer a way of the community being able to do that.
“For me, if you are behind these boys, here’s an opportunity to help.”
The appeal page had raised more than £300 in its first 48 hours.
Luke and Ryan told The Voice that they were very grateful for the gesture at a difficult time.
“I think in a way it will help people to connect with us,” said Luke (26). “It’s nice to know that people are thinking about us.
“We’re just trying to look after Mum and Charlotte in the best way possible. We obviously want to do everything we can.”
Ryan (25) said that he and Luke had read the many letters and messages of support and felt it would be impossible to respond to them all. He hoped that an open funeral service for Claire and Charlotte – at which members of the public will be welcome – would be a chance for them to show their appreciation. It will be at All Saints’ Church in Moulton on Tuesday, August 16 (10.30am).
The brothers have endured an extraordinary and unimaginably distressing two weeks. They are both engineers and were working abroad when news of the tragedy was broken to them.
Luke said: “The overriding emotion was just disbelief and that’s something that isn’t going away.
“It’s just incomprehensible. It doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t feel real.
“A lot of it is going to take a lot of time before it feels ready to fit into our worlds.”
Ryan added: “Talking about Mum and Charlotte in the past doesn’t feel real.”
They said Claire and Charlotte were “the archetypes of compassion” – animal lovers and keen supporters of Wood Green Animal Shelters, which will also benefit from the appeal.
Charlotte (19), who was studying midwifery at university, volunteered at The Garth School for special needs and helped other people in the local community.
Claire, a well-known member of staff at Morrisons in Pinchbeck, was a big influence on her children and vice-versa.
Luke said: “Mum lived through us and got her joys through us. Whenever she talked to anyone, it was about how proud she was of us.”
Although her sons had been living away from home for some time, Claire (50) had still been a big support in their lives and Ryan said the past fortnight felt like he and Luke were “growing up quickly”.
They said there have been a lot of unpleasant matters to deal with but everyone had shown immense compassion and understanding.
And the brothers have been able to gain some comfort from seeing photos and reading memories of their mum and sister which people have added to a memorial website which they started – www.c.hart.muchloved.com.
- Anyone wishing to give to the appeal without doing it online can bring their donation into The Voice reception in Winsover Road, Spalding.
