Flood fund hits £1m for victims

The Community Foundation for Lancashire revealed it had reached the landmark figure just four months after being launched with £5,000.

It’s work has seen homeowners affected by the flooding this winter given grants to help rebuild their lives.

“It’s given us our home back, our family back, I can’t thank those people enough.”

Those are the words of Croston mum Gill Stubbs, whose flood-hit home has been refurbished thanks to cash raised by the Foundation.

The appeal was launched on December 8, with £5,000 to support communities affected by the deluge throughout December, with families in St Michaels in Over Wyre hit particularly badly.

And on the appeal’s four-month anniversary, government match funding has taken funds raised to over the million-pound mark.

So far, £490,000 of grants have been distributed by the Community Foundation to more than 220 households, helping thousands of people across the county.

Gill, 50, saw her Croston home flood with 20 ins of water on Boxing Day.

After the initial shock, Gill realised she was uninsured, as her insurance had not been automatically renewed as she thought it had.

She heard about the funding via Facebook, and said: “We got £5,000, which has enabled me to get the plastering done, we had all the electrics checked and all the sockets raised, new skirting boards and half of a new kitchen.

“It’s also paid for all the decor to be done, and also towards a new front door.

“If it wasn’t for that money, I don’t know what we would have done.

“We would have to wait for pay packets and do it bit by bit, I don’t know how we could have afforded it.”

An event at Whalley Village Hall will took place yesterday, to thank residents and donors for their support.

It was attended by the Community Foundation’s president, Lord Shuttleworth, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Cathy Elliott, chief executive for the Community Foundation for Lancashire, said: “The Community Foundation’s experience in leading the Flood Appeal for Lancashire has been challenging and rewarding.

“The Flood Appeal has been a huge part of our recent work to grow stronger communities together in the county.

“The response from those who have donated and supported those affected in communities has been phenomenal, and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved.”

You can still donate at www.lancsfloodappeal.org.uk, or by texting LFLD15 and your donation amount (eg £10) to 70070.

Or visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/lancsfloodappeal.