Community rallies to help Yorkshire flood hit

A community appeal to support victims of flooding has hit £90,000, as volunteers across the region rally to help those hit worst - including sports clubs.
The scene in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, where flood sirens were sounded after torrential downpours. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA WireThe scene in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, where flood sirens were sounded after torrential downpours. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
The scene in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, where flood sirens were sounded after torrential downpours. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

The Calderdale Flood Relief Appeal, ran by the Community Foundation for Calderdale, stood at £90,431.68 on Monday lunchtime.

In 2012, a similar fund handed out more than £150,000 to people who were flooded and are again raising money to provide materials to help the clean-up operation once the flood waters have subsided.

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A scheme in Lancashire has raised £130,000 to contribute to clean-up costs, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment and to provide childcare equipment and basic furniture.

In Acomb, York, Stefania Finch felt moved to help after collecting a bag of clothes for flood victims and struggling to find somewhere to donate them to.

She set up a collection at Foxwood Community Centre on Sunday, which was so successful, it has moved to a bigger premises at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, in Acomb.

More than 100 care packs were delivered to those in need on Sunday, with six car loads taken to the emergency centre at Archbishops School.

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Miss Finch, 22, told the Yorkshire Post, said: “Last night we were out delivering car-fulls of donations to people in need. We’ve also fed 52 rescuers, who came from down south to help with the rescue effort. We’ve had so many donations - more than 100 bags full of clothes, blankets and toiletries, and I have had meetings with Tesco’s Toys R Us and Pets at Home to see how they can help. Everything is coming together, but there are things we still need.”

The appeal is in need of dry foods, baby food, toiletries and cleaning products to help with the clear up.

Those wishing to donate can drop off goods direct to the Mormon Church.

Yorkshire County Board, in-conjunction with the ECB – has set up an emergency fund to support clubs who are affected.

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A statement on Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s website said the board the Boxing Day flooding had affected “many” of its affiliated clubs, and it has issued guidance on how they should respond to flooding.

The board has asked clubs to contact them with details of damage so the emergency funding can be handed out.

The statement said: “The YCB will be commencing the implementation of funding from this week.

“Yorkshire County Cricket Club would like to pass on our thoughts to everyone hit by the floods across the region. Please stay safe.”