By Kelly Eve

Last updated at 12:31, Monday, 23 November 2009

MANAGERS of the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund are gearing up for public donations as thoughts focus on rebuilding lives and communities.

The flood fund received more than £140,000 in less than 48 hours. Applications can also be made for financial help from the fund.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund launched by Workington MP Tony Cunningham and the Cumbria Community Foundation on Friday has received pledges of £142,000.

They include £25,000 from Allerdale Council, £50,000 from Cumbria County Council and £50,000 from Nuclear Management Partners, a donation which kick-started the fundraising efforts.

Allerdale Council leader Tim Heslop said: “We are committed to working together with all agencies on the massive recovery effort that we face in getting the county back onto its feet.

“As well as getting people back into their homes, the future of many small businesses and how we can help to ensure their survival is one of our top priorities.

“We also express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who is working tremendously hard to help others in these exceptionally difficult circumstances – especially those who are coming to terms with their own loss.”

The trustees of the Cumbria Community Foundation, based at Dovenby near Cockermouth, have also pledged £15,000 to the fund.

The Whitehaven Festival Company also issued news of its collection via its Facebook page.

Buckets were placed at Wilkinsons, Richardson’s Wine Merchants, Tesco, Morrisons, Crosby’s, WH Smiths, Burtons, The Whitehaven News, Wetherspoons, The Waverley and St Nicholas Church over the weekend.

The Cumberland Building Society and Furness Building Society branches across Cumbria will accept donations. Cleator Moor Co-op also has collection buckets.

Deb Muscat, acting director of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “The public is beginning to donate via the website and via cheques in the post.

“Gerard Richardson and the Whitehaven Festival Company have also been doing a collections as have Currys in Workington.

“It is the most fantastic thing. The first time around in 2005 we had to go out there and tell people about our fund but with the internet and such things people are passing word on.”

The Foundation said the first phase of grant making would concentrate on the elderly, people with disabilities and families with children aged under five.

The Rotary Clubs of Cockermouth and Keswick were among the first to launch a fund for flood victims.

Visit www.keswickrotary.org.uk to donate. Credit and debit card donations can be made through Paypal.

Cheques can be sent to Rotary Clubs of Cockermouth & Keswick Flood Appeal, 26, Briar Rigg, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4NN. They should be made to “The Rotary Club of Keswick”.

To donate to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund see details below.

n The Northwest Regional Development Agency today confirmed it would pledge up to £1 million to help small businesses affected by the flooding.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive, said they had been working with the county council, Chamber of Commerce and the Government Office North West to offer their full support to businesses.

“ Any businesses in need of support should contact our Business Link Northwest service which is geared-up to provide frontline advice to businesses dealing with the effects of flooding.”

First published at 11:19, Monday, 23 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk