With a donation from Tim Hortons franchises in London, the Old East Village Community Association fund for those impacted by a recent gas explosion in the neighbourhood has reached more than $150,000.

Twelve franchise owners with the help of Tims corporate office raised a combined total of $33,000 in the wake of the recent incident on Woodman Avenue in London’s Old East Village.

Chris Sparling is one Tims franchise owner whose location stayed open to provide shelter for those evacuated and coffee and food for volunteers and first responders.

Sparling said he is proud of his staff, who started helping people before he even knew what had happened.

“Everyone just jumped in right away to make sure we were there to help where we could and provide whatever we could to the first responders in the control centres and community centres,” he said.

Sparling said all franchise owners stepped up to help, including the Tim Hortons corporate office, which matched all the funds raised by franchise owners.

He added that being a part of the community and helping out where they can is what Sparling’s businesses are all about.

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