A TYNEDALE engineer who lost his life's work in a fire at his business unit is 'staggered' by the outstanding amount raised on his Gofundme page.

Geoff Wallman, 44, has lost over thirty years of his work in a fire at his unit on Newbiggin Hill Farm, near Hexham earlier this month.

After the initial shock of loosing everything, he set up a GoFundMe page to raise some money to help him and others affected by the blaze to get back on their feet.

Unknown to Geoff, who owns engineering companies Northern Skunkworks Ltd and Intelligen Energy, his story was hugely recieved by friends, neighbours and strangers who donated to the page - which has so far raised over £2,920. Which increased his orginal goal of only £100.

"Since the Courant ran the story last week, Ive been completed staggered by the kindness from friends and neighbours but also from people I have never met who just wanted to show their support,"Geoff said.

"I was getting out of the car two days ago and bumped into one of my neighbours, he was like “wait there!”.

"He disappeared into his house and came out with a bag full of allen keys, a spirit level, a socket set – loads of little things to help get me going again – it was so kind I can't even remember what I said to him but it was so generous.

 "My friend and neighbour Scotty who runs Scott Automotive has set me up in a little corner of his workshop with a temporary bench so I can finish a couple of jobs I have outstanding.

"I also found out a couple of days ago that my neighbour’s son Freddy, who lived on the farm where the unit was, donated £5 which I think that was the entirety of his savings and just so unbelievable that he would do that.

"It is completely overwhelming how supportive everyone has been and I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated, popped in to say hi or even just asked after us all.

"This place is full of amazing, lovely people and to everyone I just want to say a huge thank you, I really hope I can do the same in return one day.

"Im starting to wonder if we can build on this goodwill and do something to address the problem of safe, affordable space for small businesses in Hexham – maybe a few units of all different sizes somewhere that are rented on a not-for-profit basis and include spaces for teaching, sharing skills and pop-up fairs and events.

"It is very early days at the moment but if we could somehow do that, it would be an amazing positive from such an awful thing."