Applications for help open as flood appeal total hits £300,000

AN APPEAL fund which has been inundated with donations for the victims of the floods that swept Rotherham this month is now open for applications.

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) is inviting those affected to tap into the cash raised, which has now passed £300,000.

An estimated 50 homes in Rotherham were flooded and dozens of businesses also fell victim to the rising tide.

Grants are available for cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating costs and equipment, furniture and white goods, as well as other costs not covered by insurance.

The basic grant is £100 but higher figures will be allocated in “exceptional circumstances of hardship considered in the second phase of the application process, the foundation said.

Applications can be made at https://tinyurl.com/SYCFfloodgrant.

SYCF said its appeal would “support families and local people who have been displaced from their homes and had their property damaged by severe flood waters”.

Donations are still being invited to the appeal.

SYCF chief executive Ruth Willis said she was pleased with and grateful for the donations made so far but called for them to keep coming in.

“We need people to help because there are so many in absolute hardship,” she said.

“It’s really important for us to try and support people as much as possible.”

You can make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/syfloods.

Alternatively, send a cheque to South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Riverside Works, Unit 9 - 12, Jessops Riverside, 800 Brightside Lane, Sheffield, S9 2RX, or call 0114 242 4857 and ask for bank payment details.