“Every day is a Grenfell Day.”

The words of Nick Burton, a former Grenfell Tower resident who donated the shift he was wearing on the night he and his wife were rescued from the 19th floor of the tower, powerfully demonstrate the enduring legacy of the fire.

Burton’s words form part of a powerful and empathetic film, entitled Fabric of the Community, directed by Ashley Francis-Roy from Missing Link Films. The film is promoting Grenfell Athletic’s latest set of Nike kits. Each shirt includes a bespoke cut of fabric surrounding the club badge. Each shirt was donated by a member of the Grenfell community.

Created by Brothers & Sisters the campaign uses NFC technology. Every shirt’s badge contains a chip which enables fans to digitally interact with the kit. When scanned with a smartphone a chip inside the badge links to a video which tells the story of the donated fabric in the shirt. Stories which ensure the Grenfell fire and its enduring impact on the community is never forgotten.

Of the 30 different fabric patches that have been donated, four are from garments worn by survivors on the night of their escape from the fire. Another is from a firefighter who was inspired to join the London Fire Brigade after witnessing the horrors of June 14 2017.

Perhaps most poignant is the fabric associated with Nick Burton, a former Grenfell Tower resident who donated the shirt he was wearing on the night he and his wife were rescued from the 19th floor of the tower. His wife later died in hospital and became the fire’s last fatality. 

Other donors include One Direction band member Louis Tomlinson, who gave one of his treasured Doncaster Rovers shirts in solidarity with those affected by the Grenfell tragedy, and former Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín, who continues his support for Grenfell having previously pledged over £19,000 to support victims in the aftermath of the fire.

Andy Fowler, Founder and ECD of Brothers & Sisters and Trustee of Grenfell Athletic, added: “The shirt is a living and breathing historical storytelling device that uses technology to unlock deeply intimate, personal stories from this very special community.”

He continued: “That Nick would donate the shirt he wore when he and his wife escaped the fire is mind-blowing. Storytelling is such a powerful device and we are humbled that these people have committed to sharing their stories.”

Rupert Taylor, Founder of Grenfell Athletic, added: “Our club was born out of a desire to heal and bring our community ever closer through the power of football. We’re so thankful for every person who donated their fabrics and bravely shared their stories, and we hope the project offers an additional avenue for healing and a platform for showing how inspirational our community truly is. The hearts and souls of the people of Grenfell are woven into Grenfell Athletic’s DNA, and now they’ll be woven into the club’s shirts, too.”

Seven years on from the tragedy, which claimed 72 lives and left countless people injured, traumatised or displaced, Brothers and Sisters continues to devise new ways to ensure the people of Grenfell are not only remembered but supported. Telling the stories that will ensure the lives lost in the Grenfell fire are never forgotten.

To support Grenfell Athletic and get your hands on the new kit, visit Kitlocker here.