Huge support for Haywards Heath mum's flood appeal

A mother from Haywards Heath is collecting essential supplies for the victims of flooding in Yorkshire and Cumbria.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jan 2016, 12:29 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 06:45 BST

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York city centre after the River Ouse and the River Foss burst their banks last week.York city centre after the River Ouse and the River Foss burst their banks last week.
York city centre after the River Ouse and the River Foss burst their banks last week.

Lorraine Chedzey-Ackland said she has had ‘fantastic’ support for her appeal, with donations and offers of help coming in from all directions.

She said they are asking for bedding, mattresses, winter coats, wellies, toiletries, brooms and cleaning products.

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With the pile of contributions growing, they will need some way to transport the supplies to the North.

She was prompted to do something over Christmas, as news reports came in of families who face having to wait six months or more in emergency accommodation before their homes have even dried out enough to be redecorated.

“We were watching the news on Christmas Day,” she said. “One of my twins said: ‘I feel so guilty’.

“We were opening our presents and seeing this happening on live TV.”

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Many people who were forced to abandon their homes had left their home appliances outside for the insurance assessors to see.

Last week, reports came in of unscrupulous thieves stealing them for scrap, leaving homeowners unable to claim for them on insurance.

Lorraine said she roped her friend Kelly Harris from Burgess Hill into helping, and has had great support from the community.

“St Francis Social Club in Haywards Heath donated £90 on New Year’s Eve, Burgess Hill Independent Food Pantry have offered non-perishable food, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School in Burgess Hill are offering to be a drop off point for toiletries and other donations.”

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St Wilfrid’s will be taking donations between 8.45am and 9.30am on Friday January 8.

The main drop off point is at My Local in America Lane, Haywards Heath.

“There’s a wonderful shop assistant there called Jon Marsland,” said Lorraine.

“His manager has said we can have their warehouse space for a drop off point, which is fantastic.”

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Anyone who is able to contribute can contact Lorraine through her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CumbriaYork-Flood-Appeal-1686931784923875/

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Related topics:Haywards HeathYorkshireCumbriaNorth