Disaster appeal fund plan for victims of the deluge (From Gazette & Herald)

Disaster appeal fund plan for victims of the deluge

A DISASTER appeal fund may be set up in Helmsley to help those worst-hit by the flooding disaster.

The town's vicar, Canon David Wilbourne, held a meeting yesterday with Methodist minister Rev Sue Greenwood to discuss how people could be helped.

He has also been in contact with Father Alberic Stacpoole, of Ampleforth Abbey, who cares for the parish of St Mary's, Helmsley.

"We are looking into the possibility of setting up a fund, but we want to get it right," said Canon Wilbourne.

But while the disaster had devastated many homes, it had proved to be a great opportunity for the Helmsley area community to work together, he said.

"Because Helmsley is quite isolated, it is a self-reliant community and that has certainly come home this week. Teenage gangs have been going round the town doing a great job helping people whose homes have been badly hit and their efforts have been very much appreciated. Everyone has worked to help each other and that has been tremendous.

"The rescue services did a superb job, working round the clock without a break, not just being involved in the big rescues but also helping to clear mud out of the flood houses.

"We are all so deeply sorry for the people who have been hit by the floods but the community are rallying around them."

Evensong at the Parish Church of All Saints on Sunday was abandoned when the storm kept all church-goers away, other than Canon Wilbourne.

Fortuitously, he spotted rain beginning to seep into the historic church and immediately spotted that gulleys had become blocked.

"I was worried about the volume of water not able to drain away and the risk to the church building."

He climbed onto the lower roof of the church to clear out the gulleys to enable the water to get away.

"The storm was so powerful that the tiles of the roof looked as they had been steam-cleaned," said Canon Wilbourne.

"Fortunately, I was well-dressed for the task, with my cycling waterproofs and wellingtons and not donning my ecclesiastical robes!"

Updated: 13:07 Wednesday, June 22, 2005