A FUND-RAISING campaign has been set up to support an Exminster family whose 200-year-old home has come crashing down - literally.

Sally Williams cottage is now in desperate need of repair after the rain-soaked cob wall caved in.

The initial damage to Orchard Cottage, where Sally and her family have lived for almost 25 years, happed last month.

After more than 50 days of continuous rain, the walls had absorbed as much moisture as they could bear, without the opportunity for evaporation on dry days, and the gable end of the cottage collapsed into a heap.

Sally explained: ‘I’m pleased to say none of us were injured, and we have been so touched by the outpouring of offers of help, food parcels, alternative accommodation.

‘We were lucky enough to have swift action from a local builder who cleared the rubble, allowing scaffolding to be erected within a couple of days.

'It has since been propped and sheeted to try and keep the weather out and prevent further damage.’

Her daughter Ellie’s room is unusable as is the family bathroom and dining room.

But worse was to come as on Friday March 13, more wind and rain brought down more rubble and what was left of the chimney stack.

Sally has spent weeks in contact with her insurers but her claim has now been dismissed.

She says she was told this was due to various reasons including the damage was not during a name storm and the wind speed was not in excess of 55mph.

Sally said: ‘I am waiting for advice on the next steps to preserve what’s left of the building.

‘I am of course devastated, and trying to process how on earth I can move forward from here.’

A Go Fund Me page has been set up by friend Elaine Bowler with a target of £10,000 to help the family https://gofund.me/aa27bc92e