by Myron Jobson
Matthew Hands was in bed at his girlfriend’s house in Bulkington, Warwickshire, last month when they were both awoken by screams.
Immediately, they peered outside to find that flames had consumed his beloved motorhome.
“I don’t know if it has really hit me or not yet. Everything was on there – my clothes, old photos, my child’s clothes and even his bike,” he said at the time.
But this was no accident; arsonists had turned Matthew’s renovated 1974 Leyland motorhome into a fireball.
Upon hearing his tale, bosses of the Off The Tracks music festival have taken it upon themselves to help restore Matthew’s faith in humanity and to help rebuild his life.
They are asking festival attendees to donate clothes and general household items to give to Matthew and girlfriend Sinead Carnie.
One of the festival organisers said: “The response so far has been phenomenal and one of the bands that spent some time on his bus last year have already said they want to make a donation.
“Matty seems really touched by it all and he has had a pretty miserable summer, so if we can cheer him up that would be great,” he told coventrytelegraph.net.
Matthew is said to be delighted and “really thankful” for their efforts. He was a regular at Off The Tracks Festivals, and now has been invited along free of charge.
The twice-yearly independent music festival is held near Castle Donington bordering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
The upcoming event is due to take place this weekend (30 August – 1 September) in and around the courtyard of a farmhouse and offers folk, roots, dance and fusion on two stages.
Organisers will donate any items that are not suitable for the 41-year-old to Oxfam.
