Surrey flooding fund helps ease financial hardship

The River Thames reached its highest level in 60 years last month

People affected by flooding in parts of Surrey will be able to claim money to ease their financial hardship.

Spelthorne and Runneymede councils said money donated to the area's flood relief fund would be distributed to people whose homes were flooded.

Priority will be given to "the most vulnerable and isolated", a Spelthorne council spokesman said.

They include the elderly, people with disabilities, people on low incomes and families with young children.

About 1,000 homes were flooded in Surrey last month after the River Thames reached its highest level in 60 years.

Homes in Chertsey, Guildford, Horley, East and West Molesey, Staines, Sunbury, Thames Ditton and Weybridge were affected.

'Distressing events'

Daxa Patel, Spelthorne's cabinet member responsible for emergency planning, said £14,600 had been donated to the borough, which has its headquarters in Staines.

"We are extremely appreciative of the generosity of those community groups, businesses, individuals and others who have contributed to our fund," she said.

"Our aim is to help our local communities and residents recover from these recent distressing events and get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

The fund is being administered by Runnymede and Spelthorne Citizens Advice Bureau.

Community and voluntary groups assisting in the relief effort in the county are able to apply for grants of up to £2,000 from the Community Foundation for Surrey's Flood Recovery Appeal.