Devon Flood Fund launched
Following weeks of terrible weather and high rainfall there are many areas of Devon where people are suffering the consequences of flooding; displaced from their homes, distressed, with damaged property and in need of immediate and longer term support.
Unfortunately the emergency services say they are gearing up to respond to yet another blast of atrocious weather which is predicted to make landfall in the Westcountry this weekend with more strong winds and heavy rain.
Today Devon Community Foundation is launching its Devon Flood Fund appeal. Many people want to make donations to help those affected across the county and there is now a way to help and be sure that the funds will go to those most in need immediately.
The foundation is working closely with agencies across the county to make sure that these funds are used effectively.
The response within the communities themselves has been magnificent but there is only so much they can do for themselves.
Devon Community Foundation is urgently appealing for donations to relieve the immediate hardship people are facing and support their recovery over the coming weeks and months.
With your help, they will help families and communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Their target is to raise £100,000.
How funds raised will be used:
- Provide emergency relief grants to people whose homes have been flooded to meet the immediate financial burdens of moving out, pumping and drying, and emergency repairs. These are £250 and usually awarded within 48 hours of receipt of an eligible application.
- Help those who face additional financial burdens as a result of the flooding, for example though loss of earnings, extended daily commutes and school runs.
- Support local micro-businesses to ensure their survival and swift recovery as an essential part of the local community and economy through grants and, where applicable, loans.
- Support counselling and other support services to help people cope with the emotional stress caused by the flooding in the short and medium term.
If donations exceed the immediate need outlined above they will retain the extra funds for future episodes of flooding.
As far as possible the cost of administering the fund will be taken from gift aid receipts, and no more than 10% will be taken from non-gift aided donations for administration.
If you are seeking financial assistance as a result of the flooding in Devon, please contact Devon Community Foundation for further information and find the application forms and guidelines on their website www.devoncf.com
Donations can be made in the following ways:
Online https://www.justgiving.com/DevonFloodFund
Text a donation to WAVE14 £(amount) to 70070
Send a cheque made payable to Devon Community Foundation and write Flood Fund on the back of the cheque. Please post it to them at The Factory, Leat Street, Tiverton EX16 5LL
If you are a UK Taxpayer, please also use a giftAid form to add 25% to your donation this can be downloaded from http://www.devoncf.com/how-to-give/personal-giving/donation/
If you need more information you can call Devon Community Foundation on 01884 235 887 Monday to Thursday.
