Extra £1.6m added to Calderdale Flood Relief Appeal after Government matching

The appeal, the most successful Localgiving appeal to date, was set up by the Community Foundation for Calderdale following the devastating Boxing Day floods.

Speaking earlier in the year, Steve Duncan, chief executive of the foundation, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. The outpouring of support has been truly incredible.”

The foundation quickly sprung into action to help those in the immediate aftermath of the disaster by purchasing and delivering cleaning materials to the worst hit areas.

A grants programme was then opened - £200 emergency grants helped with basic needs including food and shelter.

It also supported people who were displaced by the flooding, many of whom will not be able to live in their homes for six to nine months. Hardship grants were distriibuted and the foundation has supported more than 100 businesses in their recovery.

In the wake of the floods, the foundation will launch some new initiatives, including a legacy fund called WaterMark Calderdale. Local businesses will be able to sign up to sell a product or service and a percentage of the sale will go into a fund that will support people in the event of another flood.

It is also launching an alternative to insurance, a problem for many people in the borough who can’t get flood insurance, called FloodSave.

Businesses and individuals not covered by FloodRE can apply to become a member - they can save £10/£25/£50 a month with the foundation and, in the event of a flood, it will match fund their savings by 25 per cent.