RELATIVES of three generations of a family who died in a Cwmbran fire say they are touched by the way the community has rallied around to help them.

The family of Kim Buckley, 46, her daughter Kayleigh, 17, and granddaughter Kimberley, aged six months, who died after a fire at their home in Tillsland, Coed Eva, Cwmbran, on September 18, say they want to make it clear that despite the headline on the Argus story of October 8 they themselves did not appeal for help with funeral costs for the three.

It was, in fact, friends and people touched by the family’s plight who took the decision to fundraise to help them.

Donations have been collected at Nat West banks and at the Waterloo pub in the town.

The funeral for the mother, daughter and granddaughter will be held at St Gabriel’s Church, Old Cwmbran, at 10.15am today, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium.

Donations for the special care baby unit at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital can be given in lieu of flowers at the crematorium.

Mourning clothes are optional, but the family has asked that people wear an item of red clothing.

In a family tribute, made shortly after their deaths, Mrs Buckley was described as “a vibrant, proud mother and proud nanny,” while Kayleigh was described as a “lovely girl”.

Speaking about Kayleigh, the tribute said: “She was so happy when her baby came home so she could become a propermum to Kimberley.

“Kimberley was a beautiful baby and when she smiled it was the best thing in the world.”

● Carl Anthony Mills, 28, of no fixed abode, is charged with three counts of murder following the blaze.

He is currently in custody and is due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on December 17 for a plea and case management hearing.

An inquest into the deaths of the three victims was opened earlier this month but adjourned for at least six months to allowcriminal proceedings to take place. A post mortem examination found that the cause of death was exposure to fire and “fire effluents”.