Flood funds of €300,000 will be equally distributed to families directly affected

There is still over €300,000 left to distribute to families in the Athlone area whose homes were destroyed the floods last November. Substantial items of household furniture are also now available from the Flood Relief Centre in the Towncentre. The centre will remain open for the next few months. The Flood Relief Fund Committee, set up in the wake of the flooding to manage the donations, have over €300,000 to distribute with donations still arriving, according to a statement released yesterday by Jean Naughton, Regional Administrator of the St Vincent de Paul and a member of the committee. "Over the coming weeks the committee will gather all the facts from the flooded householders which will inform the decision making and ensure that all possible assistance within our remit will be provided," she said. "As the clean-up begins in earnest, the committee will devise the best possible scheme to administer the rest of the funds to families directly affected by the flooding." Although some families have insurance cover and some may get grants from other organisations; the committee has agreed that each family will be treated equally regardless when the money is distributed. "In addition the committee will devise an application process to cater for hardship cases over and above the equal dispersal of funds ensuring extra funding will be available to those families that will be in need of extra assistance," she explained. The committee has also contacted other towns that were affected by flooding such as Ballinasloe, to ensure that "best practice" will be used here to distribute the funds. To date, a total of €55,300 has been dispersed to the families concerned from the funds. The committee stated that all monies will be audited by an independent auditor in addition to the St Vincent De Paul auditor ensuring all finances are dispersed, accounted for and all donations acknowledged where possible. The flood centre warehouse has substantial items for the sitting room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom available for those families worst affected as well. "The Flood Relief Centre has been very busy during the recent cold spell in delivering and distributing food hampers, heaters, fuel, clothes, and furniture that has been generously donated by the public." The committee need local volunteers to sort out donated clothes, and generally help in the warehouse with a range of jobs including some heavy lifting. Check the Westmeath Volunteer Centre website www.volunteerwestmeath.ie for more information in the near future. Families who are interested in the household items should contact Dave Raftis, Volunteer Relief Project Manager on 086 1725418. For further information please contact Jean Naughton, Regional Administrator, Society of St Vincent de Paul, 18 O'Connell Street, Athlone or phone 6444041. Meanwhile, the deadline for applications for Red Cross funding has been extended until February 5.