Photo by Lancaster MP Cat Smith (via Twitter)

A Lancashire Flood Recovery Fund Appeal has been launched by the Community Foundation for Lancashire.

The Recovery Fund’s Appeal will raise funds to  contribute to clean-up costs, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment,  childcare equipment and basic furniture, especially in North Lancashire.

It will directly support individuals  and families already struggling and vital community organisations and resident groups in the areas affected  by Storm Desmond.

Chancellor George Osborne has promised that the government would match up to £1m collected by the Cumbria Community Foundation to help recovery from the floods. So far more than £600,000 has been raised.

If you have been affected by the flooding in Lancashire you can apply to the fund now. Guidelines for funding and an application form can be downloaded at

http://www.lancsfoundation.org.uk/

Ground floor Council flats in Lancaster’s Water Street, housing a number of vulnerable tenants, went a foot deep in water. We at virtual-lancaster can only offer the most heartfelt salute to those ground floor residents, some in poor health themselves, who prioritised helping their frail elderly neighbours rather than taking time to rescue their own most valued possessions. And to the ‘lovely’ unnamed gentleman who sat playing  ‘The Times they are a’changin” on his guitar by candlelight to two  disabled ladies (one had already rescued the more elderly other to her own next door flat) while they were marooned on a bed waiting for the Fire Service to come for them.

A monumental cleanup has been underway, but many flood-hit residents throughout the affected areas who have lost so much of their most valued and essential belongings are uninsured.

Any help you can give towards getting them back on their own feet again will be vastly appreciated.

Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam 

And admit that the waters
Around you have grown….


• Local people and businesses can donate to  the Recovery Fund’s Public Appeal online via a dedicated MyDonate webpage at

https://mydonate.bt.com/events/lancsfloodappeal | Alternatively text LFLD15 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070