17th December 2015
In just TWELVE days, the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal has caught the attention of the nation and has raised more than £2 million for communities affected by Storm Desmond.
Cumbria Community Foundation launched the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal on Saturday 5th December 2015 with an initial target of £1m but due to the scale of the damage caused and the number of places affected, this has been steadily increased to £5m.
Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation said: “When the appeal was launched, the flooding was only just beginning to impact the county. We now have a greater sense of the true scale of need, and the Community Foundation has taken the decision to increase the appeal target to £5m.
“We know that the 2015 floods have impacted more severely than any previous flooding incident. This target will be kept under review and may be raised further as the impact of the flooding is better understood.”
The Foundation has also received the government’s £1 million match fund bringing the actual total raised to £3 million.
Andy continues: “We are very encouraged and delighted by the government’s commitment to match fund the appeal and be able to support our communities even further.”
So far more than £166,000 has been given out in grants and over 230 households have received quick financial help to try to rebuild their lives.
Ian Brown, Chairman of the Foundation said: “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of people around the UK. When you launch an appeal, you don’t know how people are going to react to what’s happening in your own community and to see what is happening is amazing. It just shows that people have got more in common than what divides them. People see the photos, see the need help for help and are creating fundraising events and digging deep into their own pockets. It’s very heart-warming, very encouraging to see.”
The Flood Recovery Fund 2015 is open to anyone whose home has suffered flooding significant structural damage or people who have lost work or income because of the storm or flood. It is providing support for cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, childcare equipment and basic furniture.
It is also providing grants to voluntary and community groups who are providing immediate relief to people, offering longer term community rebuilding projects or have experienced significant structural and or flood damage. Most grants will be in the range £5,000-£15,000, however for strategic, coordinated grants there will be no upper limit. These applications will be developed in close association with the Foundation and must involve partnership working.
Anyone wanting information about the appeal and who and what will be eligible for funding, should click here or speak to the grants team on 01900 825760.