An appeal for Suffolk residents flooded out by Storm Babet has smashed its fundraising target by collecting £30,000 for those affected when the original aim was just £10,000.
The Framlingham Flood Appeal, set up by local charity Hour Community, has been collecting to help households with basic supplies after heavy rain caused brown water to pour into homes in the town during the storm on October 20.
A separate government flood recovery scheme, administered by East Suffolk Council, has also provided £500 grants and council tax reductions to 73 flooded residents, totalling £36,500.
READ MORE: Appeal to help Suffolk residents flooded out by Storm Babet
Hour Community's chief executive Nick Corke said he hoped the money would help people to have a better Christmas.
He added: "It is absolutely staggering. Putting the appeal money together with what the government has been doing will hopefully make people's lives a little better this Christmas."
The money will be used to provide the extras that people need, such as bedding for the bed and curtain poles for curtains.
Mr Corke praised the Framlingham community's response to the situation and said he had been approached by people in the street offering cheques and donations of up to £50 towards the appeal.
He added: "It is just unbelievable. Perhaps they imagine what it must have been like. It is just horrible. It is the thought of losing everything. It is these little personal things that matter so much and suddenly those pictures are gone."
An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: “We are continuing to help those communities which were impacted by Storm Babet and have contacted affected households to ensure they are aware of how they can apply for support.
READ MORE: JustGiving appeal for Suffolk pub flooded by Storm Babet
“Eligible residents can apply for a £500 community recovery grant and a council tax discount for a minimum of three months.
“To date, we have received 118 applications for the community recovery grant and council tax discount and 73 of those have been paid, with more payments due to be made this week.
“We have also written to a further 75 property owners to encourage them to submit applications.”
Donations to the appeal can be made at:
Name: Hour Community
Sort Code: 201995
Account number: 13223590
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