Help at hand for flood victims

10:05am Monday 16th July 2007

WYRE Forest residents still picking up the pieces after last month's storms are to be given a helping hand getting their lives back to normal.

The Network (Worcestershire) and the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network have offered to give flood victims a 20 per cent discount on electrical goods and help obtaining furniture, cooking utensils and crockery.

Bewdley's mayor, Anne Mace, who approached Lawrence Green, business development manager for the Network (Worcestershire) for help said she was delighted by the offer which, she said, showed the community spirit in Wyre Forest.

She added: "This is a community set-up organisation which is helping communities.

"It is obviously going to cut their profits but these are some of the things that many people are going to struggle to find the money for."

Mr Lawrence said the board was happy to help and he had great sympathy for the flood victims, adding: "It was horrible and there wasn't anything they could do to stop it happening.

"It affected a lot of people through no fault of their own and they need all the support they get.

"We felt a 20 per cent discount would go some way towards helping them. We would like to have done more to help but we could not afford to, as it has to be covered by our own funds."

Letters are to be distributed by Bewdley Town Council and the Tenant Consultative Committee in Bewdley and Mr Green said he would be happy to talk to anyone in Wyre Forest who needed help.

The discount will be given on production of authorised proof of flood damage. Further information is available on 01562 513399.

An appeal to help Bewdley's flood victims is still running.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can contact Miss Mace on 01299 402204 or e-mail annemace@tiscali.co.uk Contributions can also be left at the Town Clerks Office, at 6 Load Street, Bewdley.