The Cumbria Recovery Appeal has raised £10 million to help people rebuild their lives after the flooding in December 2015.

The donation which took the figure through the £10 million mark was one of £400 from the Mayor of Cockermouth Julie Laidlaw.

The majority of the cash came from more than 20,000 individual donations, which the Government then match funded an additional £4.7 million.

So far more than four million pounds has been given in grants to more than two thousand people across the county.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “When we started the appeal we hoped to raise £1 million, to have raised ten times that amount and to be able to help people across Cumbria to recover from the devastating floods is amazing.

“I am humbled by the generosity of our donors that have allowed us to help so many people. Raising £10 million means we will be able to invest in projects that have a lasting benefit for our flood affected communities.

“I know that some people are still a long way off returning to normal and I’d say to come and ask for help, everything you need to know about how to apply for a grant is on our website.”

One person who has benefited from a Flood Recovery Grant is Chris Ansell, 34, from Sandylands Road in Kendal, who lives with his partner Fay and three children Harrison, Connor and Ella.

In December, his house flooded for the first time in 80 years due to a blocked culvert. Four feet of water swept through the house and destroyed everything on the ground floor. Chris had spent three years doing up the house, he said: “I felt sick and disheartened after the floods, I did all the work on the house myself and it was all gone in the space of hours of it raining. Until it happens to you, you don’t realise how devastating it is for families to see their lives in a skip. I was lucky, the insurance paid out, but then there were extra costs above the settlement caused by the dehumidifiers. I took out a credit card and ran up debts before I applied for the Flood Grant. The volunteers at the Encouragement Cabin helped me apply and I received a very generous amount which I am very grateful for.”

Chris lives in one of 900 homes in the Mintsfeet and Far Cross wards in Kendal that was affected. He and his family moved back in earlier this month, five months after the floods.

We’ve uploaded a short interview with Chris Ansell, filmed by Tara Vallente, here.

A family business near Penrith has also been helped by the Flood Recovery Appeal. Happy Hooves is a riding stable that offers horse riding for people with disabilities.

Alison and her mum Joyce Noble saw their home and their business underwater during the floods. Alarmingly, eight of the 25 horses at the site in Eamont Bridge were stood in their stables with the swirling water up to their tummies.

Alison and her mum both received individual grants to help them during the flood recovery and the charitable business was given £10,000 towards a £17,000 repair bill for ‘Mr Williams’ – an electronic horse which enables them to identify what support a rider needs to take to a real horse. Happy Hooves also offers riding lessons to people of all abilities and especially to those with disabilities.

Becky Mackenzie, senior riding instructor at Happy Hooves, said: “Mr Williams is modelled on a top dressage horse and is covered in sensors which let us know if a rider is sitting a bit skew whiff or is holding one rein tighter than another. We use him with our groups from Mencap or Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) or for people who are nervous about horse riding. He is invaluable in getting people to safely ride a horse. Since he returned from Racewood, where he was repaired, Mr Williams has a new program specially designed for the RDA which lets riders experience riding through different surroundings – like on a beach or in a wood.

“We are really grateful for the help we were given by the Flood Grant. The community spirit was amazing after the floods – al our horses went to temporary homes while we sorted out the house and the stables and the classroom and no one asked for a penny. With people bringing food and helping out we managed to re-open in the new year. Alison and her mum are almost back to normal at home, which is great.”

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We are delighted to announce the launch of a new fund aimed at supporting charitable organisations operating across Cumbria.

£115,000 funding is available to projects addressing local need through the Dulverton Trust Fund. The Fund will support a wide range of charitable activities and particularly aims to support projects that directly match the Dulverton Trust’s existing priorities of: Youth opportunities, General welfare, and Conservation and preservation.

Sarah Hale, Grants Manager at the Dulverton Trust said: “We are delighted to be entering a partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation. We hope our funding can help local organisations make a positive impact on both the area and its residents”

Small charities and community groups with an annual income of less than £200,000 can apply for grants between £500 and £5,000. Applications will be considered three times a year: June 2016, October 2016 and February 2017.

Ellen Clements, Senior Grants and Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the Dulverton Trust, who have a strong desire to support the communities of Cumbria. By working with the trustees of the Trust, we will be able to provide even more grant aid to charitable organisations and ensure the needs of the communities are met.”

The closing date for the panel meeting in June is 8th May 2016. For more information  contact Ellen Clements on 01900 825760 or email ellen@cumbriafoundation.org

A couple who sustained serious injuries in the Boston Marathon bombing have chosen to mark the third anniversary of that awful day with kindness.

Eric and Ann Whalley (nee Richardson), originally from West Cumbria, have donated £10,000 to Cumbria Community Foundation’s Flood Recovery Fund.

They say the generosity shown by fellow west Cumbrians after their devastating injuries helped them significantly on their road to recovery.

They want to repay that kindness and generosity by helping families in Cockermouth, Workington and Flimby affected by the floods.

It’s 27 years since Eric, from Cockermouth, and Ann from Maryport, emigrated to America but they have never forgotten where they grew up or lost their fondness for the area and its people.

Their own personal tragedy three years ago showed them how small the world really is and how strong personal bonds matter when things go wrong. Their sons Richard and Chris turned to social media in the immediate aftermath of the bombing to find their parents and then saw how the American GiveForward fundraising site helped raise £100,000 towards their parents’ huge medical bills.

It also highlighted how significant social media and the internet are today in times of crisis and recovery, something Cumbria Community Foundation has also seen. In the 48 hours after the December floods, fundraising through JustGiving helped raise £100,000 for the appeal.

Eric and Ann have always been keen athletes and liked watching the marathon in their adopted home city in Boston, Massachusetts. On 15 April 2013, they were stood by the finish line when terrorists detonated two bombs which killed three people and injured them and 262 others.

The Whalleys, both 68, spent a total of 76 days in hospital and underwent roughly 20 operations each involving major limb salvage and reconstruction over 12- 24 months. Eric lost the sight in one eye, had eardrum transplant and suffered traumatic shrapnel brain damage. Ann was on a ventilator in the aftermath and also suffered shrapnel and burns injury to her limbs, neck and face.

Both Ann and Eric are private people and their donation, one of the most significant individual ones made, came with a suitably understated message:

“Please find enclosed a donation towards Cumbria Community Foundation’s Flood Recovery Fund. We are ex-pat west Cumbrians now living in Boston, USA. In 2013 we both incurred serious injuries at the Boston Marathon bombings and were so touched by the well wishes, kindness, support and generosity from family, friends and fellow West Cumbrians which helped significantly with our recovery. We are sad to learn about the devastation resulting from the floods in Cumbria and we would like to thank you all by giving forward.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive, Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Ann and Eric embody the true ‘Spirit of Cumbria’ which we have seen time and again since the terrible floods in December. They didn’t seek any financial support from anyone after they were innocently caught up in the bombing in 2013 but they were hugely touched to see friends, family and relative strangers from west Cumbria digging deep to help them in their hour of need. Now they have made significant steps towards recovery, they want to extend the same hand of kindness to people who are in need of help to recover from the flooding. I was overwhelmed when I received their donation and would like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ on behalf of every family that will benefit from their kindness,”

Ann and Eric are former pupils of Cockermouth Grammar School. They have immediate family in West Cumbria and Yorkshire.

Confirmation of £ for £ match funding from the Government for the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal sees the total funds raised reach £9.6m.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “This is incredible news, we know Cumbria was hit by the largest flooding incident in living memory in December 2015, so this money is very much welcome.

“This is a truly remarkable achievement which has only been made possible by the generosity of thousands of people and businesses and charitable trusts backing the Appeal. On behalf of everyone at the Community Foundation we would like to offer our warmest thanks to everyone who has given money and organised fundraising events.”

The Appeal has already supported thousands of people through small and large grants to assist with repairs, loss of income, replacing goods, and rebuilding communities. The Foundation is encouraging people to continue to apply for funding.

More than £3.5m has been distributed across Cumbria with 2,300 households receiving financial support. Community organisations who have suffered flood damage or who are providing immediate relief to people, including longer term community rebuilding projects can also apply, and have so far benefited from more than half a million pounds.

Jackie and husband Phil from Cockermouth didn’t have insurance because their rented home had flooded twice before and pushed the excess amount beyond what was affordable.

Jackie cares for Phil who suffers with ME and Fibromyalgia and they live with their four children. The family received £6,000 to help them furnish their home.

Phil said: “I seriously cannot put into words how truly grateful we all are. To receive this amount of help is incredible and will make the transition of moving back home so much easier.”

Andy continues: “We know that flood recovery is a long term process and I’m delighted we’re in a position to continue to help people. Many people are not back in their homes and new and emerging needs are being identified as people work to rebuild homes and community facilities.”

This additional funding means the Foundation will be able to invest in future community resilience measures including topping up, where possible, support from the Government to help make people’s homes more flood resilient.

The Appeal has taken a three phased approach to funding:

1. Immediate support to help with the emergency response and clean-up work. Grants to households and grants to groups providing front line services.

2. Supplementary support to help those who continue to experience increased household expense. Individual grants for households whose income has been affected over a long term period and households who have incurred significant costs due to relocation resulting from the flood.

Grants to organisations who have suffered damage to their property, those providing emotional support and counselling and advice services.

3. Resilience support to help households and for community-led flood defence work.

The charity’s trustees are keeping the Appeal’s priorities and administration under constant review and an interim review of the Appeal is currently underway to ensure funds continue to be targeted at priority need.

“Sadly the scale of the impact means we are confident that we can spend this money effectively in support of addressing hardship and the long term recovery process, and we continue to welcome all new donations to the Appeal,” said Andy.

We are currently looking for an experienced Programme Manager  to join our team at Cumbria Community Foundation. The post is based at our Head Office in Dovenby near Cockermouth.

As an organisation committed to the local community and a track record of delivery, we are looking for a key member of the team to contribute to the exciting development of the organisation in particular taking forward the recently extended contract from Cumbria County Council for what was formerly known as the Neighbourhood Care Independence Programme but now referred to as Placed Based Services (Prevention Programme). The Prevention Programme consists of around 30 voluntary and third sector organisations delivering a range of services and support to vulnerable adults in order to enhance or maintain their ability to live independently of Health Adult Social Care Services. This Programme sits within the Health and Social Well-Being System under the auspices of Public Health.

If you’re looking for an opportunity where you can make a difference, want to work with an established organisation with a varied and interesting work load, download the Job Description and Application Form and email your completed form to cath@cumbriafoundation.org

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 4th April

The whole of Cumbria was devastated by floods in December 2015 and one major consequence was the washing away of the A591 – the main arterial road of the Lake District, linking Grasmere to Keswick and the Northern Lakes.

The road’s closure has cut the Lake District in half as it’s the only north-south route through the national park. As a result, communities have been torn apart and businesses that rely on tourism have been losing out to the tune of an estimated £1 million per day.

Eden Rose Hunter,  15, from Grasmere recorded her version of the hit Keane song ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ to draw attention to the Lake District’s damaged A591 which won’t be open until May at the earliest.

Eden Rose is the daughter of Andrew and Joanne Hunter who run the iconic 162-year-old Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.

Like lots of other family businesses in the Lake District it has been badly hit by collapsing trade. Mum Joanne Hunter said the song was her daughter’s idea.

Cumbria County Council is currently repairing the road.

Eden Rose recorded Somewhere Only We Know at Dedleg studios near Ormskirk.

She then recorded the video above Grasmere with local film-maker John McKeown of Lakes Creative.

Grasmere and Cumbria are both open for business however so please continue to visit this most beautiful corner of England.

A recent review of expenditure and future demand on the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal has indicated a need for hardship and community recovery funds in the region of £9.4m, against the current funds raised of £5.7m.

The Appeal, set up by Cumbria Community Foundation has distributed £2.5 million to date to individuals and families suffering financial hardship and to community relief and rebuilding projects.

As a result the trustees have taken the decision to increase the Appeal target to £7m and will keep this under review with the expectation that it may have to rise in the future. The trustees wish to thank and recognise the thousands of people who have raised money in support of the Flood Recovery Appeal and who continue to hold fundraising events.

As Government continues to monitor need and allocation of funds it is vital that we communicate our best understanding of demands on the Appeal.

The Flood Recovery Appeal has so far supported more than 2,000 households – 35% of all those affected – with 30-35 grants being awarded per day. An average of £188,000 is being awarded per week with most people receiving money within 48 hours of their applications being considered.

The charity is expecting to see more households applying as families return to their homes – many are still in temporary accommodation.

Chief Executive Andy Beeforth said: “The Flood Recovery Appeal has so far responded to the immediate crisis phase of the flooding. We know, however, that recovery takes a long time. Our experience of managing flood funds in 2005 and 2009 tells us that we will need to continue to support some families for 12-18 months after the floods.

“Many families have not returned to their homes, hundreds of homes are not yet dry or ready to be occupied, others are only just uncovering problems and issues and costs they had not expected. The full extent of the damage to homes, businesses, community facilities, and to the infrastructure and the associated costs of cleaning up, and of repair and restoration, will run into many millions of pounds. Previous floods in Cumbria cost the insurance industry £272m in 2005 and £276m in 2009.

“We need to be able to help re-build valuable community facilities and to support the work that charities have done to support people affected by the floods.”

“If the Appeal continues to spend at the current rate it would be spent up by July 2016. Our trustees are monitoring expenditure to ensure those in greatest need are prioritised.”

“We encourage anyone facing financial hardship as a result of the flooding to seek help through the Appeal if they have not done so already.”

Cumbria Community Foundation’s Flood Recovery Appeal has supported households who have lost income as a direct result of the floods and supported community organisations and charities providing vital support. It has also supported some community organisations whose premises have been flooded or whose activities have been curtailed by flooding.

The Foundation’s Grants Committee has met monthly to consider group applications since 5 December. The 22 March Grants Committee meeting will consider applications totalling £475,000.

Awards to charities and community groups will be primarily to those who provide support services such as advice and information, practical and emotional support to those affected by the storms and organisations who have been directly affected by the floods. The Foundation also expects to see an increase in applications from community groups in support of community resilience measures.

More than 5,500 homes were flooded in December 2015. This is three times more households than were affected by flooding in 2009. The Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal 2009 raised and spent £3m.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal has given out almost £2.5 million to people across the county affected by December’s devastating floods.

£300,000 of which has gone to community groups to help rebuild and replace sporting and social facilities, support food banks, replace life saving equipment and provide practical and emotional support for people affected across Cumbria.

So far £5.7 million pounds has been raised for the appeal and the charity’s chief executive says people across Cumbria will be helped financially for many months yet.

Andy Beeforth said: “Two thousand households have been helped so far, some more than once. I’d like to encourage people to apply for a grant as and when they need it. We know from the last floods that it takes many months before people get back in their homes and need help to cover costs that they haven’t anticipated as well of the costs they do. Group applications are being considered once a month and once again, I’d encourage community groups who need help to apply.”

Groups can apply online and the closing date for the panel meeting on 19 April is 8 April.

Community groups which have already been awarded grants include:

In Allerdale

£4,000 – for a drop-in centre at Greta Gardens for Keswick Flood Action Group
£2,000 – for flood relief and prevention at Wigton Baths Trust
£15,000 – to replace junior non-turf wicket and practice area
£10,000 – supporting recovery from the floods at The Kirkgate Arts Centre
£10,000 – flood recovery project for Keswick Football Club
£10,000 – flood rescue equipment for Maryport Inshore Rescue Boat
£10,000 – The Bridge Cafe, King’s Church, Cockermouth
£1,048 – replacement kit for Keswick and District Community First Responders
£10,000 – restoration of club and bowling green for Fitz Park Bowling Green, Keswick
£15,000 – replacement walkway at YHA Keswick
£15,000 – flood advice and support for Citizen Advice Allerdale

In Carlisle

£15,000 – to support lost revenue while Carlisle Youth Zone is being rebuilt
£15,000 – flood repairs for Botcherby Community Centre
£4,500 – restoring allotments for Willowholme Allotment Society
£5,000 – replacing flood damaged staging at Crosby on Eden Parish Hall
In Copeland

£11,052 – to repair the pitch at Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club

In Eden

£500 – riverside restoration for Appleby Chamber of Trade
£5,393 – flood damage repair, Lazonby and District Swimming Pool Association
£5,940 – renovation support for Appleby Scout Group
£2,000 – hosting Eden Flood Volunteers, Eden Arts Trust
£10,000 – damage repair for Patterdale Parish Council
£5,000 – county flood recovery for Eden Flood Volunteers

In South Lakeland

£12,050 – for a flood co-ordination officer for Age UK South Lakeland
£15,000 – flood restoration work at IBIS Sports and Social Club
£15,000 – for a Flood Relief Centre Manager at King’s Food Bank, Kendal
£5,000 – flood damage restoration for Ambleside Bowling Club
£5,000 – flood relief for The Armitt Library and Museum Centre
£15,000 – flood relief co-ordinators for Sandylands Methodist Church
£623 – direction signs following the floods at Staveley with Ings Parish Church
£15,000 – emotional support and counselling for those affected by floods, South Lakeland Mind
£11,325 – replacement jetty at YHA Ambleside
£20,000 – flood recovery co-ordinators for British Red Cross across Cumbria

You can donate by Just Giving http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/cumbriafoundation/cumbriafloodappeal2015

Or by sending a cheque made payable to Cumbria Community Foundation and sent to CCF, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

Or send a text to 70070 with the message ‘FLUD15’ and a monetary amount. For example, ‘FLUD15 £10.’

The Flood Recovery Fund 2015 is open to anyone whose home has suffered significant structural damage or flooding or people who have lost work or income because of the storm or flood.

It has provided support for – cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, child care equipment and basic furniture.

In the early hours of 29th December, Budgens shop in Lyndhurst, Hampshire was raided by burglars who threw a beer keg through the front door window, making off with stolen goods.

As they were leaving, a police car drove up alongside and gave chase. A stinger was used on the vehicle and as the burglars tried to get away the police dogs were let loose. One big bite on the bum occurred.

Shop Owner Elisabeth didn’t know what to do with the beer keg, so decided to help raise funds for the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal by holding a “Guess the name of the stolen beer keg” competition.

The keg was named Michael after the patron saint of the police and the main church in Lyndhurst is also St Michael. The winner of the competition was Mr and Mrs Johnson who came up from London to collect their prize, met by Chief Inspector Simon Tribe of Lyndhurst Police Station.

Michael raised £41 and other donations came to £63.43 giving a total of £104.43, which Elisabeth is adding to. She said: “I hope this story manages to inspire other people to raise money out of adversity like we have done. It does make a difference.”

One of the burglars has gone to prison for 16 months and another received 12 weeks suspended sentence for 18 months and a big compensation order. A third youth has absconded for a second time, so a court arrest warrant is now in place. A fourth man is still wanted but the police have his finger prints.

The recent severe weather and further forecasted gales has postponed an outdoor charity fundraiser.

Cumbria Community Foundation’s ‘Big Sleep’ was being held this Saturday to help raise money for the charity’s Winter Warmth Appeal.

More than 200 people have already signed up to sleep in a field behind the Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel in Windermere but severe weather warnings have forced the charity to make the difficult decision and postpone the event until Saturday 27th February.

All previous entries have been automatically transferred to the new date and there is still room to accommodate more campers. Online entries will remain open until Thursday 25th February.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation said: “We did not take the decision lightly to postpone the event due to high winds and heavy rain. We knew that some people will be disappointed but safety is paramount. I would like to thank all participants for their positive feedback and we look forward to seeing everyone next month.”

The Big Sleep will see hundreds of people being sponsored to camp out for the night in a field in January where temperatures will drop below zero. Last year, it went down to minus six and the tents were frosted up on the inside.

Cumbria Community Foundation tries to take people’s mind off the cold during the event by providing live music, lantern making, food and drink and a movie before everyone has an early night under the stars.