St Asaph flood appeal fund raises over £50,000 for victims

Families carried possessions from their homes above their heads as floods hit

Around £50,000 has been raised in an appeal to help people still trying to recover after flooding hit 400 homes in St Asaph, Denbighshire.

Hundreds of people were evacuated after the river Elwy burst its banks in late November.

So far, £14,000 from the appeal has been paid out with affected residents invited to claim £100 each.

It has yet to be decided how the rest of the money will be used, and more is still coming in.

But St Asaph mayor John Roberts said it is likely those who did not have insurance will be given greater assistance.

At the Roe Parc estate, resident John Wynne-Jones' home was hit by over a foot of water.

'Help of strangers'

He says it was only after the flooding that he found he was not insured as he thought he had cover.

But he says he has been heartened by the help of the wider community and even strangers.

"Friends and family have offered loads of support," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"And some people from further afield have said 'if you want decorating done, we will come and do it'.

"Complete strangers are offering services like that."

He said the while £100 was not a lot of money to some it did make a "huge difference" for families who were able to celebrate Christmas and use the money to buy presents for their children.

He said there was still a long way to go for some people regarding the clean-up.

"There will be an awful lot that needs addressing as time goes on. People have not seen all their problems yet."

Bishop of St Asaph, Rt Rev Dr Gregory Cameron, said: "The community spirit has been excellent. We have been amazed really by the positive reaction to the mayor's appeal.

"It's really on an individual level that things are very tough.

"If 2012 was the year of the flood, 2013 will be the year of trying to face the future."