Cash handouts are on the way to devastated families hit by the Calderdale floods.
Each has been offered hundreds of pounds by Calderdale Council and by the Community Foundation for Calderdale.
And the latter has now pledged to try and raise £1m to help the 2,000 or so households hit by the week’s terrible flooding, which caused devastation to at homes and businesses throughout the Calder valley.
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They have received a huge boost today with news that the Government will match fund much of the money, giving £1 for every £1 raised.
Steve Duncan, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “It is a massive incentive because the more we can raise, the more match-funding we can get.
Amazing before and after video of flooding at Mytholmroyd
“I have been on to the Government this morning to try and confirm details and we expect it to be on the lines of the promise they made to victims of Storm Desmond in Cumbria.
“We have already raised £¼m ourselves and while £1m is an ambitious target, the will is there.
“There are already a number of big fundraising initiatives planned and we have received sizeable pledges from a number of organisations.
“The schools return next week and they will also be mobilised to help with fundraising.”
Calderdale Council has immediately agreed to make a £500 hardship payment to householders who have been severely affected by the floods. This is in addition to the council tax and business rate relief already announced.
Council officers will contact households who can qualify for the payment and will try and use the council tax system in the first instance to pay this, with payments hopefully implemented early next week.
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There will also be funding available to help both householders and businesses with immediate repairs. The council is currently working on how this scheme will work and will be developing details over the next week.
The Leader of Calderdale Council, Clr Tim Swift, said: “We are delighted that we are now able to offer speedy hardship payments, following confirmation of initial government financial help. We are now working quickly on the details of a repairs support scheme and a package of help for businesses and we will be making further announcements shortly.”
