€130,000 raised in Athlone Flood Relief Fund

A whopping €130,000 has been raised to far by the public in response to the Athlone Flood Relief Appeal. It's hoped that cheques for people displaced by the floods will be available next Tuesday or Wednesday, in time for Christmas. The majority of the money will be going to those whose homes have been flooded, while smaller amounts will go those affected, for example if their land or sheds are flooded.The flood relief fund is being run by the local branch of the St Vincent de Paul along with the Athlone Chamber of Commerce, the Credit Union and the HSE's community welfare office. These various agencies are holding a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss how they will begin spending the money on those worst affected by the floods in November. Jean Naughton of St Vincent de Paul said that the response so far has been brilliant. "€130,000 has so far been raised and there's further donations promised. It's absolutely unbelievable. People have been absolutely brilliant," she said. "We're holding a meeting on Thursday to decide where the money will go and we'd like to see something being done before Christmas." Ms Naughton said that many families were still suffering from the shock of having their homes flooded and it will be a hard Christmas for some, especially those with young children. She said some families had lost everything and didn't feel safe going back to their homes as they fear they may be flooded again come January. Most are being re-housed in temporary accommodation, however it's thought that homes will not be dry and repaired until the New Year. "Your heart goes out to them," she added. Volunteer Dave Rastis from Rochfortbridge, is the Project Manager in the Athlone Flood Relief Centre in the Towncentre and is also on the finance committee of the fundraising appeal. The shop opened three weeks ago today (Wednesday) to help out the 100-plus houses that were flooded out. "We're very busy on the phones and people come in for a cup of tea and a chat. It's gotten to the stage where we know some of them by name," he told the Westmeath Independent. "We kit them out in clothes or food hampers. We have a rapport with them and they know they're not alone." He said the shop is still very busy and people are still donating bags of clothes and cheques. "The warehouse is full to capacity, but our shop in the Towncentre is still open except for Christmas Day and St Stephen's day. Anyone looking for food or fuel can come in to us," he said. The volunteers in the flood relief centre help out those in two categories; those who have been "displaced" because their houses were flooded and those who have been "affected" by having their gardens, land or sheds flooded but whose houses are safe. The majority of those coming in are in their 30s, 40s and 50s, many of whom have families. "I'd encourage those who haven't come in yet to contact us. They may be private people or anxious, but we're here to help," added Dave. "We don't ask for your PPS number or anything, just come in." However getting over Christmas is just the first part of this relief effort. "After Christmas we'll be delivering fridges and furniture to people... In January, we'll be going out to people and seeing what's needed in houses. We'll be here beyond March - maybe even summer. A small group of volunteers have committed to stay here until summer," said Dave. He praised the other volunteers for their work so far. "I can't praise them enough, they're a great team."