Online fundraiser for well-known Ballymoney man who "lost everything" in house fire
An online fundraiser has been launched to help raise funds for a Ballymoney man “who lost everything” in an accidental house fire last week.
The home of Nevin Torrens, who is known as ‘Sticky’, was destroyed in a severe house fire in the Co Antrim town last Thursday.
By the time the emergency services arrived on the scene, the blaze was already well‑established as Mr Torrens' belongings and home went up in smoke.
In an act of pure love, Mr Torrens re-entered his home when he realised his dog was still inside. Despite being advised not to enter the property by the emergency services, he pushed forward to rescue his furry friend.
Unfortunately, Mr Torrens suffered burns and smoke inhalation and was airlifted to Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was initially placed in an induced coma.
At first, fears grew that the family dog had perished in the blaze, but when firefighters finally brought the flames under control, they made a remarkable discovery that the dog was alive, sheltering beneath the remains of a bed.
The fundraiser was started by Mr Torrens’ neighbour Debora Milazzo, with the support from his friends and daughter Christina.
The appeal reads: “Sticky has helped a lot of people, never expecting anything in return. We would like to get him a static caravan, a few clothes and basics to get him back on his feet.”
At the time of writing, more than £3,500 had been raised by members of the public.
Mr Torrens is described as one of Ballymoney’s most recognisable and well-loved characters.
He has won the Irish Open twice as a hot rod and rally racer, owned a hair salon, ran a music production company working with artists including Van Morrison, as well as training multiple greyhound racing champions. He now keeps racing pigeons.
Speaking to the News Letter, neighbour Ms Milazzo provided an update on Mr Torrens’ health and how donations will help the pensioner when he leaves hospital.
“Nevin is still in the ICU ward at Royal Victoria Hospital,” she confirmed.
“He came out of the induced coma on Sunday and it is planned that he will move to another ward in the next few days.
“He has been laughing and joking with the doctors, so it’s great that he’s on the mend.
“I gave him the dog as a pup and now I’m looking after it until Nevin comes home.
“He just doesn’t have anything, even the clothes he was wearing on the night of the fire are destroyed. There is nothing left or salvageable from the fire, which is heart-breaking.
“Friends and members of the public have donated a lot in the last 24 hours but the honest truth is that we need some more. He’s making such a fast recovery that he needs somewhere to go when he’s released.
“Once we knew he was going to make it, then we decided to launch the fundraiser and it’s been great to see the outpouring of support.
“Nevin has had a lot of ups and downs in his life but he would help anyone … nobody would have anything bad to say about him.
“He’s the first to help fix cars, offer a taxi service and everything else in between. He’s such a good soul who now needs a home.”