Rotherham backs flood appeal

An appeal for funds for flood victims left homeless by floods in Cumbria last month has been set up in Rotherham.

Borough Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jahangir Akhtar, has joined forces with the Rotherham Lions Club to raise money.

Rotherham Lions Club opened the appeal with £500 and hopes to raise many more thousands over the next six to eight weeks. 

Club president Clive Jones said: "Residents and businesses in our area know better than anyone how much devastation the floods can cause.

"Money raised will allow people to meet pressing needs in our community including the provision of toiletries, nightwear and other clothing."

Cllr Akhtar said: "Watching the images on TV about the Cumbrian Floods reminded me of the devastation that our community shared in 2007.

"I am proud to work with the Lions on this worthwhile project and am in the process of organising a charity dinner among other things.

"I am hoping the people of Rotherham will get behind this appeal."

The relief activities by the various Lions Club in the Cumbria area are part of a large-scale relief effort launched by Lions Clubs and the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

So far $15,000 has been dispatched from the Lions Club International Foundation in America to support emergency humanitarian relief.