Healey announces government tribute to charity flood work

Published	23 June 2008

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today announced Government plans to publicly recognise the efforts of charities that helped communities hit by last summer's floods. The Minister also praised local media for throwing their weight behind local fundraising appeals.

Since the floods around £10million has been raised by national and local appeals to support flood victims. Thanks to the Government's Gift Aid system these charities are able to reclaim tax paid on donations boosting the help available - currently worth 22 pence on every pound raised.

Mr Healey said that Government will hold an official Downing Street reception next month and he has asked local authorities in the worst affected areas to nominate representatives from local voluntary and charity organisations to attend and will join representatives from national charitable organisations.

The reception is to recognise the part played by volunteers and charities to the long term recovery of families and communities over the last twelve months. Many of these set up their own local fundraising schemes or distributed funds raised by national organisations such as the Red Cross or led community projects to help people in flood-hit communities.

Since the floods many different appeals were launched, big and small, including:

The Red Cross raising £4.8m;
The Rotary Flood Disaster Appeal raising £1m;
Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund raising £1.8m; and
South Yorkshire Community Fund raising £1.5m.

While on a visit to Barnsley to meet representatives from the South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund, as well as some of the people they helped, John Healey said:

"One year on from the first of last summer's floods I'm impressed how people have pulled together to recover from the floods. The sense of community spirit and determination to get life back to normal has been helped by charities and volunteers, both nationally and locally.

"Their work collecting donations and distributing support has made a huge difference to flood victims and their communities. The charities have shown compassion, creativity and resilience and a commitment to help out those unfortunate to be hit by the floods. They deserve our thanks. Special mention should also go to local media. There is no doubt that their support for these campaigns played a big part in boosting the appeals.

"So I am today announcing that the Government will formally recognise the efforts of charities and volunteers at an official Downing Street reception. I have invited local authorities in the worst affected areas to nominate representatives from charities or other community organisations who made such a difference over the last year. I look forward to thanking them in person next month."

Notes to Editors

2007 had the wettest May to July since the England and Wales's precipitation record began in 1766.
Approximately 48,000 households were flooded and 7,000 businesses were affected in June and July.
The estimated total direct damaged caused by the flooding in June and July flooding 2007 is around £3.1billion.
This has been one of the biggest recovery operations since the Second World War.

South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund

Within two days of the floods South Yorkshire Community Foundation started South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund - receiving donations on-line, by phone, by cheque and in cash over the counters at banks. It had an initial target of £500,000. But supported by local authorities, Yorkshire Bank and local media it reached over £1million in October and now exceeds £1.5m - three times the original target. They made the first payments within a week of the fund beginning - they were £100 payments to help with the immediate needs of people who had lost everything. In total 3,293 payments have been made in South Yorkshire according to need. In addition to individual flood victims the Fund also supported other organisations including:

Darton Darby & Joan Club - They are a registered charity who provides community leisure and entertainment facilities. Their building and grounds were badly hit by the floods. The Fund supported their fundraising efforts for a new heating system and window shutters which will keep the building secure and attract more users.
Darton Scouts - 15th Barnsley - They received £2000 from the Flood Fund to support work on the scout hut, which was flooded. The flooring was damaged beyond repair and the group had to remove floor covering, floorboards and joists. Because of the standing water, they had to replace electrics, central heating, cupboards, cooker, filing cabinets and redecorate the whole building. The group are relying on volunteer help to rebuild the hut, but need financial aid for materials. The group supports 35 young people.

British Red Cross

On 24th July 2007, the British Red Cross launched an urgent appeal for funds for people affected by the floods. The British Red Cross National Floods Appeal raised £4.8 million.

Grants have been distributed through local councils and charities, to help vulnerable individuals who were worst affected. People have spent their grants on heating their temporary accommodation, and on replacing shoes and clothes and items such as fridges and washing machines, which were damaged by the floodwater.

During the floods themselves, 900 British Red Cross staff and volunteers helped those in need, by distributing water and food parcels, helping evacuate patients, and supporting emergency rest centres.

On 25 July 2007, Red Cross emergency relief teams took two boats to distribute hygiene kits, containing toiletries and sanitary items, and bottled water to people who suffering the effects of flooding in Gloucester.

In Gloucestershire the Red Cross volunteers distributed tonnes of water and food parcels using the Red Cross all-terrain UNIMOG vehicle, 4x4s and ambulances. They helped 8378 beneficiaries in the county, delivering 33,577 litres of bottled water, 2260 food parcels, 1769 hygiene kits and 8466 dry toilet packs.

Rotary Flood Disaster Appeal

Following the floods Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland established the Rotary Flood Disaster Appeal which raised £1million - including £700,000 from a charity fashion show organised by Naomi Campbell.

They are supporting a number of projects including: