Flimby firm New Balance has donated £35,000 to the Cumbria Flood Appeal.

The sports shoe manufacturer has stipulated that the money be spent on victims within a 10-mile radius of its St Helen's Lane factory.

The money, which will be distributed through the Cumbria Community Foundation is to support individuals and communities shattered by the flooding in December including New Balance staff.

One of those staff members was Gillian Mounsey, of Coniston Avenue in Flimby.

The whole of her downstairs was flooded.

She said: "I've lived here for 15 years and never seen anything like it. I was worried about my new kitchen. I had only had it for three months."

The kitchen units remained undamaged but the appliances were destroyed and she is still trying to dry out walls.

She said New Balance had been fantastic about giving her time off to see to everything that needed doing in the wake of the flood.

Melanie Kaleinikas, HR manager, said: "We were all deeply saddened by flooding.

"Five New Balance associates from the Flimby factory were directly affected by the storms and their attitude in such trying times has been highly commendable.

"We believe that working alongside our close-knit community, in the spirit of support and co-operation, stands as a reflection of our company principles and values."

The money has been donated by New Balance International's charity foundation.

Glenys Kett, of the foundatin, said people log on to www.cumbriafoundation.org for information about how to apply for grants.