Volunteers praised for helping flood victims

Councillor Shefali Ahmed serving food to one of the volunteers helping with the clean up

Volunteers from across Rochdale and further afield have been praised for their work in helping those who have been affected by the Boxing Day floods.

Volunteers of all ages have been working all hours to help clear up damaged homes, bring aid to those who need it and to ensure that people have a place to go to find relief.

Gower Street Youth Base has been open around the clock since Sunday 27 December with volunteers working 24 hours a day to help those affected.

Councillor Ali Ahmed, who has been working alongside the volunteers, said: “Gower Street is open all day and all night for anyone who needs it.

"These volunteers are the ones who need the praise because they have been working non stop.”

Farooq Ahmed praised the local community and local businesses who have offered their services for free to help those in need.

He said: “A special thanks to all of the volunteers who have come out to help the flood victims in the past few days. We have council staff who have come out who are on unpaid leave helping out in the town, as well as the Rochdale Environmental team, firemen, young people from youth groups, faith groups, mosques, churches, the scouts and local residents getting their hands dirty.

“Thank you to the Town Hall kitchens (Crofters Catering) for providing delicious food and hot drinks for all of the volunteers and residents. This is Rochdale. This is what you call community spirit.”

Andrew Wilkinson's removals company has also been praised for the work they have done to help those in need.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Andrew said: “I have been picking up the waste that has been left outside of peoples houses and taking it to the tip and collecting donations for people. I have been everywhere including Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale.

“I am just about helping people and I have a man and van business so when all of the flooding happened, I just thought this would be a good way to help. I have been helping non stop for three days and have done everything out of my own pocket.”

Speaking about Andrew, Donna Newbury said: “A Wilkinson Removals is a man and van service run by a local lad called Andrew Wilkinson and his partner. Since the floods they have done all they can to help everyone they can. They have collected furniture, children’s toys and kitchen appliances from all over Manchester and the surrounding areas in order to help as many people as possible.

“I am certainly very impressed with they way they have taken it upon themselves to help the local community despite having to take days off work.”

St Barnabas Church in Littleborough has been open throughout the week and has become a drop off point for donations. The church has been open from 9am daily for people to collect anything that they need.

Commenting on the community spirit that has been witnessed over the coming days, June Livesey said: “It has touched me how far people are willing to go in order to help people that they have never met before. People donating food, clothes, furniture, toys and all sorts of things that a lot of people might take for granted, however people are digging down deep during a hard time right after Christmas as well.

“I think it is a great example of how our community can work together in times of crisis. As time has gone on community spirit has been as strong as it used to be however, I can see a likeness and it is great to see.

“Everyone is doing all they can and it is very touching to witness complete strangers helping one another.”