New Cross Fire Foundation
STORIES
Steve Collins
It is important that everyone who can visit this page does so in order to learn more about Steve Constantine Collins
So far the media has only talked about the cause of the fire and the politics surrounding it, that no one has talked about who the fourteen victims were as individuals, we want others to understand who these precious people were, what they liked to do, their goals and aspirations of that time,
We invited the community to talk about their sisters, brothers, and friends in order to humanise the New Cross fire and to help them feel seen, heard, and to understand that they are not alone, allowing people the chance to learn more about the young victims seen in the photos worldwide and honouring their lives.
My name is Kerry and I am Steve Collins' first niece. I am also one of the many volunteers for the New Cross Fire foundation. I was eager to learn more about my uncle so I reached out to my family and discussed the memories they shared with him.
ABOUT STEVE COLLINS
Those who knew Steve Collins remember all the good things about his life and what they remember will be recognized by family and friends as Steve's warm heart, his kindness,his music and his talent.
Steve Collins was born on 2 May 1963 in Hackney Hospital. He spent a lot of time with his father, Charles Collins, and learned his father's skills in music and electronics.
At the age of eight. Steve became interested in music and was the youngest artist to be signed to trojan records
Steve pictured above for Trojan records
Sister Davina Collins (14 years old at the time of Steve's passing ) shares some of her memories.
Steve was a loving soul, we were brought up with so much love and togetherness.One of my memories is when Steve started his first job in Greenwich working with a garage doing bodywork.
Mum, Dad and the whole family were so proud of him. Steve learnt .and
Steve loved to fix cars,and helped change starter motors ,fan belts and light bulbs on my mum's cars.
Back then we never had access to the internet or Google, Steve learned how to repair cars by reading car books, he was very clever and smart.
I remember seeing Steve loved to dress up and hang out with his friends. He once went to see DJ David Rodigan play at Southend lane and his afro hair was so high, he was what the girls would call a “sweet boy “.
I recall Steve always patting and rounding his hair with an afro comb.
My memories of Steve will stay with me forever. It has taken many years for my family to be able to live with the pain and heartache from this terrible tragedy.
Eldest sister Leona Collins (18 Years old at the time of Steve’s Passing)
Steve was a boisterous, affectionate young man with a beautiful smile. We had fights like all siblings, but we always made up. Dad and Steve had a special bond, especially when Steve started using his Gemini sound system and Dad built him speakers. I remember the times in the recording studio when we were making our records. Dad was very strict with all of us, especially when me and Steve didn't get our song lyrics right, but I do have some good memories in the studio.
One of my fondest memories of Steve is when my son Delroy was born in 1979 and as his proud uncle, Steve brought all his friends home to show him off.
I still remember when Steve had his boys round from the sound and they played Janet Kay's silly games. He loved that record, he played it all the time. Now every time I hear that song it reminds me of Steve and all his friends sitting in his room.
It doesn't seem like 42 years ago. I remember everything about that awful day like it was yesterday. Steve should have celebrated his 60th birthday this year and it breaks my heart that he is not here. He was and always and will be an important part of our family. Knowing that Dad and Steve are playing music together now is a great relief. Love you so much and miss
Gary Collins (age 10 in 1981), recounts his earliest memory of his older brother Steve Collins:
My brother was the heart of the family, he was so helpful, kind, loving, supportive and protective of me and our sisters.
He taught me how to play a record player and set up a sound system.
I remember every time he and his friends were in the bedroom I shared with him, every time he left I turned on the music and he would always come back knowing I touched his stuff ,he would say “Gary, you've been playing my music again, haven't you? But he never rejected me, was never rude to us.
He was such a nice character. I never saw him being rude to my parents. He taught me to stand up for myself, he was a over protective big brother.and we all miss him dearly to this day
Steve aged sixteen
Andrew Gooding
Dad Orville & Mum Ena left the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados for the UK in the early 1960s when invited for work & better opportunities. Soon they were married & son Richard was born. Mum worked as a nurse & Dad worked for North Thames Gas Board, now known as British Gas. Children David, Andrew & Denise were born soon after. We were an average Caribbean family in Uk.
We did not have much at the time, but we had love & happiness. We traveled when we could to Barbados in school holidays to be with family. We actually thought we would become adults in Barbados, because Mum & Dad always talked of going back home.
Andrew aged two
Andrew loved music. He loved to dance & loved being centre of attention. There was a tune he really liked called Warrior charge. He used to do the skanking dance & had his personal neck movement he would add to that dance. Everyone loved it.
Andrew was so much full of love, life & fun. He sure knew how to make Mum & Dad chuckle as well as everyone else. Andrew knew his way around Mum & would often grovel by making her cups of tea she liked so much. Mum would say, but Andrew, this tea is cold!! The poor soul forgot to boil the kettle 😁
Andrew, you are so much missed by us all. It would’ve been so nice to see you grow as a man & have your own family.
We continue to love you lots. May you rest in eternal peace.
Tragedy struck in 1981 & was so much life changing. Andrew was taken, David & Denise struggled to survive & the family battled with trauma.
Andrew was incredible, youngest of the boys. He had to be tough to get all what he wanted, as he was always last in line. To be truthful, it was the same for Denise, but being a girl & last born, it was a little easier for her.
As boys growing up, myself Richard, David & Andrew were very close.
Andrew was also very close to Denise as they were nearer in age. We were all close.
Andrew made sure he made an impression in trailing his brothers. His Afro hair was always neat. His clothing was immaculate, one would never know his fancy clothes were hand me downs from his brothers.
Pat Warmington
Community Forum Member - Pat Warmington talks about her journey from the devastating New Cross Fire to London Fire Brigade Community Forum Member.
‘’I did not know that I was broken until I realised that I was broken'’
This may be a strange statement to many but enlightening to those who have suffered lifelong trauma from events in their lives. On Saturday 17th January 1981, I attended a 16th birthday party in New Cross, South East London. I was 15 at the time and assisted my friend Yvonne Ruddock, who was my classmate at Addey and Stanhope Grammar School and the host of this party, in drafting the guest list. We excitedly agreed that it was going to be ‘a party of a lifetime’, only to later understand that it would materialise to a more sinister level. This party is now renowned as the New Cross Fire.
Since that date, I had merely survived in a haze of existence. I was functioning whilst feeling dysfunctional, and unaware of the aligned symptoms and limitations. After the tragic event of 1981, we, the attendees, and immediate community, were not offered counselling as it was not as popular a concept as it is today.
I had to sit my ‘O’ level exams 6 months later. Understandably, many others including myself did not achieve what we wanted at this time which threw us off course with our career goals. Despite this adversity in later years, I managed to attain both University (2005) and Management and Leadership Qualifications (2018), however, I recognise that with support I may have achieved this earlier in life.
"I felt liberated, free"
In 2020, I was informed that a production company was trying to contact me regarding the New Cross Fire. I respectfully resisted the invitation, however they persisted for 2 years until one day I found myself face to face with one of their researchers. Due to her approach, I found that I just wanted to talk, and for the first time in 40 years I did just that; I talked, cried, and continued this process for the entirety of the interview. By the end of the one-and-a-half-hour interview, I felt liberated, free and all the pent-up feelings, anxieties, and fears were out there. The production company was Rogan Productions who was behind the BAFTA Award winning ‘Uprising documentary’.
This engagement with Rogan Productions inspired me to hold an event in 2022. It was called ‘An Evening of Togetherness’ and was attended by New Cross Fire families, survivors, and local community representatives. The outpouring of grief, disappointment and frustration was aired by all, and 41 years later they are still emotionally affected, and some had not managed to navigate their lives as they had aspired to when they were younger.
New Cross Fire Foundation Community Interest Company
In April of that year, the New Cross Fire Foundation Community Interest Company was formed. The New Cross Fire Foundation (NCFF) offers educational support, advocacy, and guidance primarily for those who have experienced trauma. We support those who are affected by national disparities, mental health issues and people who are disadvantaged. As a community interest company, we are dedicated to the improvement of communities and the welfare of the general public overall, as we know that broken communities can have an adverse effect on wellbeing and personal potential.
The Company is formed by family members and survivors of the New Cross Fire - members of the community, for the community. The company dedicates its work to those who will benefit from essential support to sustain positive and resilient change.
Our Level 3 trained counsellors use the 'Triangle Star', a framework which has been highly endorsed for holistic conversations between the service user and practitioner which supports both parties to reflect on the strengths and challenges that exist. Using the scale descriptions, they identify together the stage the service user is at in their life’s journey and offer practical solutions.
As previously mentioned, I have first-hand experience understanding the importance of being able to talk; talking openly about life changing events without judgement with someone who listens, and someone who can offer bespoke solutions.
New Cross Fire Memorial 2023
At the New Cross Fire Memorial 2023, I was honoured to be invited by Donna Peters, LFB Head of Community Engagement, to a focus group meeting attended by survivors of Grenfell and survivors of fires made public through press coverage. It was interesting to note that like me, attendees just needed the space to talk. I now represent NCFF through LFB Community Forum and believe that we can add value to not only assist LFB with its Community Engagement Strategy, but to also offer our services to those who would benefit from it.
Living in a haze is an unimaginable experience for those experiencing it; this state of mind affords little more than isolation and enormous pressure on everyday living and personal relationships. I hope through reading my story, those who are suffering will acknowledge the strength of being able to share fears and anxieties in settings specifically designed to support. I am no longer living within a haze, and I am truly happy I can help others. I thank LFB for affording me the opportunity to do so.