A short film was released yesterday (Sunday December 29) reflecting on the close connection between survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire and a Cornish community.

'Two Communities, One Heart: Cornwall and Kensington Together' tells the story of how those affected by the tragedy were welcomed by the people of West Cornwall.

Charity Cornwall Hugs invited more than 480 survivors and others affected to visit the Penlee Lifeboat Station and learn about the 1981 lifeboat disaster that took 16 lives.

Once there, many of them found that they shared something in common with the locals in that both communities had been through tragic events which saw them grieving in the public eye.

Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn said: "The fact that this community had been through something like what we'd been through feels, in a very unspoken way, that we have a link."

Patch Harvey, coxswain of the Penlee Lifeboat, said: "We have formed a special relationship with the families and firefighters through Cornwall Hugs, and we very much look forward to seeing them again soon."

The film was produced by young Cornish videographer Mia Rumble and shot on location in Cornwall and Kensington. "Watching these two communities come together and creating this film has been a beautiful experience," she said.

Some footage is from panel discussions at the charity’s celebration event Kernow & Kensington Together in August 2019 in Mousehole. This followed the unveiling by survivors and bereaved of a special ‘Grenfell Street’ sign in the 500-year-old fishing village.

The sign is currently lit green in solidarity at Christmas and viewed by the thousands for visitors to the famous Mousehole Christmas Lights.

Four-time BAFTA-winning director Ben Anthony (who won Best Factual Director for his film Grenfell) said: "This film beautifully and movingly captures the compassion and connection between two communities which may be miles apart but are of one heart.

"It shows how truly valuable work can be done and what great things can be achieved when we are prepared to recognise the things that really matter in life: love, fellowship, unity and humanity."

Watch the film on Youtube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbdV3ZB5UFc.