Northampton Chronicle & Echo Morning Update Wednesday 10 December, 2025
A Northamptonshire family whose home was destroyed in a devastating fire were treated to a weekend to remember by Everton FC after being nominated by relatives and friends for a special Christmas surprise.
Adam, 43, and Victoria Reavey, 39, along with their children Milly, 12, and Charlie, eight, lost almost everything when a blaze tore through their Higham Ferrers home in September.
Victoria said: “We had a house fire that took out all of upstairs and there’s a lot of damage downstairs as well.
“My daughter lost everything, as it started in her room. You can’t see what was there anymore. Our bedroom and Charlie’s bedroom are all smoke-damaged and black. Downstairs it’s just smoke damage.”
The family were invited to Everton’s Finch Farm training ground on Friday, where Iliman Ndiaye (middle), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (right) and Charlie’s favourite player Jordan Pickford (left) welcomed them and listened to their story.placeholder image
The family were invited to Everton’s Finch Farm training ground on Friday, where Iliman Ndiaye (middle), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (right) and Charlie’s favourite player Jordan Pickford (left) welcomed them and listened to their story.
She had returned home on her lunch break – something she said she “never normally” does – when their dog, Tilly, began acting strangely.
Victoria continued: “She kept going into the hallway, so I went to look to see what was wrong. That’s when I smelt the smoke and realised upstairs was on fire
“I looked upstairs and all I could see was black. I went outside and looked to the side of the house and I could see the flames coming out of my daughter’s bedroom. It was very traumatic. I got out and rang the fire brigade… it just went up really quick.”
The fire destroyed not just the home, but all of the family’s treasured possessions, including decades of Everton memorabilia – from shirts and scarves to items from the final Premier League match at Goodison Park and even mementoes from the 1966 World Cup fixture held there.
They also visited the Boardroom at Everton's new stadium, where club legends Peter Reid and Gary Lineker presented them with memorabilia from the final game at Goodison Park. (Photo by Jon Super/Everton FC)placeholder image
They also visited the Boardroom at Everton's new stadium, where club legends Peter Reid and Gary Lineker presented them with memorabilia from the final game at Goodison Park. (Photo by Jon Super/Everton FC)
Victoria said: “We literally left with nothing. We lived with parents for two days and then a letting agent found us a rented house really quickly. They’ve said it will be about a year before we’re back in the house.”
Fire crews later told her: “If it had happened at night, it wasn’t a survival fire.”
Despite the devastation, she said: “We’re all here… that’s all we can’t moan really. We’ve got lots of lovely family and friends around us that have helped us. It’s just a case of trying to start to rebuild our life.”
A family member nominated the Reaveys after Everton invited supporters to put forward deserving fans for a festive surprise. Their entry read: “There are more important things in life than stuff, but they will not be back in their home for 12 months and the Toffees are such a huge part of our lives, so an extra special present to keep up spirits would be so appreciated.”
The family also met Everton FC manager David Moyesplaceholder image
The family also met Everton FC manager David Moyes
The family were invited to Everton’s Finch Farm training ground on Friday (December 5), where players Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charlie’s favourite Jordan Pickford welcomed them and listened to their story.
Working with Official Retail Partner Fanatics, the players presented gifts to replace the Everton items Charlie lost – including curtains, a duvet, blankets, teddies and wall decorations. Tilly, the dog who alerted the family to the fire, even received an Everton dog bowl and toy.
They were then given signed shirts, gloves and boots, before being invited to enjoy a VIP experience at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, which Everton won 3 – 0. The day also included premium dining in The Arch restaurant, a Fanatics shopping voucher, and a visit to the Boardroom, where club legends Peter Reid and Gary Lineker presented them with memorabilia from the final game at Goodison Park.
Adam said the gesture had meant the world to them. He said: “We can't believe this. You couldn't put a price on what we've had this weekend and it’s been absolutely amazing. From the minute we got here, everyone has been so welcoming and you don't realise until something happens how good people can be.
And they went out on to the pitch before watching their team beat Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 in the Premier League.placeholder image
And they went out on to the pitch before watching their team beat Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 in the Premier League.
“The lengths people have gone to, just to make sure we're okay and make this all happen. Every part of it's been absolutely amazing, more than you could ever think.”
“It's probably the hardest time that I've been through in my life. There's nothing left of anything, really… we pretty much lost everything.”
He added: “We are really lucky for how people have helped us out. It could be so much worse. We’re all alive. That’s the main thing… this has just been a weekend off without thinking about the house. Just switching off from it all – and it’s been amazing.”
Victoria said the highlight of the weekend was seeing the players walk in to surprise them.
She added: “It was such a good weekend. Memories that’ll last a lifetime.”
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