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This year's alternative Christmas message will be delivered by children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze

A special alternative Christmas message will be delivered by children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze this year, urging viewers to “love and cherish your family”.

Five of the youngsters who escaped the inferno in June, which left 71 people dead, will deliver the message on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, which is traditionally billed as an alternative to the Queen’s Speech.

Six months on from the tragedy in west London, as well as recounting memories of their homes in Grenfell Tower, the children will deliver their own messages to the nation.

Hayam Atmani, 10, who lived on the 15th floor of the tower, will relive the moment her family tried to escape from the blaze, saying: “We went down the stairs and all we could see is this big flame on the side of the building.”

Hayam’s family now live in a small hotel a long way from her school, where they will spend Christmas and her birthday on December 27.

<em>Family – children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze will urge viewers to “love and cherish your family” in this year’s alternative Christmas message (Pictures: PA)</em>
Family – children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze will urge viewers to “love and cherish your family” in this year’s alternative Christmas message (Pictures: PA)

Hayam, who recalls friends being impressed by the view from her family’s flat, will admit their current situation is “not that much fun,” but add: “My message for everyone at Christmas is to stay as a family, and don’t suffer about anything.

“I know this has been a really hard time for everyone, but everyone went through and everyone helped as a family. So I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

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Megan Gomes, also 10, who lived on the 21st floor of the tower block, will recall: “We always got a real tree, not a fake tree. We would all gather around the tree and open our presents together, and sometimes go round to our Gran’s.”

Both she and 12-year-old sister Luana were placed into induced comas while they were treated for smoke inhalation. Their family spent five months living in a hotel but were recently moved to a temporary flat where they will spend Christmas.

Children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze will urge viewers to “love and cherish your family” as they deliver this year’s alternative Christmas message.
Children who survived the Grenfell Tower blaze will urge viewers to “love and cherish your family” as they deliver this year’s alternative Christmas message.

Megan will say: “My Christmas message is that I think all families, children and parents should have a nice warm cosy home. I just want everyone in the world to have a house at least.”

Luana will add: “My Christmas message is that everybody should love and respect each other because you never know what tomorrow will be like. And it is important to love and cherish your family.”

During the message the children will be seen decorating a Christmas tree and decorating ornaments.

Amiel Miller, 10, and his brother Danel, 7, who lived on the 17th floor, will recount how they heard people screaming on the night of the fire and hearing their mother tell them to get their clothes on and run down the stairs, with Danel describing seeing debris falling from the tower as they watched from outside.

His older brother will say his favourite thing about Christmas is seeing his family and eating and playing with his cousins.

He will add: “My Christmas message: it’s not all about getting presents, it’s also about giving”, while Danel’s message will be: “Share food!”

The alternative Christmas message will air on Channel 4 on December 25 at 2.30pm.