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Weekly readers raise £15,000 to aid mill blast tragedy victims

Almost £15,000 has been raised by a weekly newspaper’s readers to help the victims of a mill explosion and their families.

The Macclesfield Express joined forces with radio station Silk 106.9 to launch the Bring a Pound to Work appeal, urging readers on its patch to donate at least £1 to aid those affected by the Bosley mill disaster.

The tragedy killed three people, a fourth is still missing, and injured others after a series of blasts at a wood flour mill in Bosley, Cheshire.

In the aftermath of last month’s disaster, the Express ran a special front page showing the devastation caused, as well as a seven-page report on the incident.

The logo of the Bring a Pound to Work appeal

The logo of the Bring a Pound to Work appeal

The appeal was also launched, with more than 170 businesses in the area offering their support.

All the money raised will go to the Bosley Victims Appeal, a fund set up by a parish councillor in the village.

Rhiannon McDowall, deputy editor of the Express, said: “We are thrilled to have raised such a fantastic amount for such a worthwhile cause.

“The tragedy of Bosley has touched the heart of our community and the workers and families of those affected by the disaster will continue to be at the centre of our focus.

“We hope this money, together with the fantastic amounts raised by groups across the community, will go some way to helping the Bosley community to rebuild itself.”