The Community Foundation for Lancashire’s Flood Recovery Appeal has today launched the “Strengthening Communities Fund”, designed to help community groups affected by the December 2015 floods to increase the resilience of their local community.
The launch of this Fund coincides with a Ministerial visit today to Irwell Vale by the Floods Minster, Rory Stewart MP 
with Jake Berry MP. Mr Stewart praised the Community Foundation and the Lancashire’s communities, including in Irwell Vale, for their efforts in rebuilding communities since December.
Floods Minister Rory Stewart said: “The Community Foundation for Lancashire has played a fantastic role in helping families and I want to thank all those who have donated so generously to help their friends and neighbours. Government is matching donations to support this important work in addition to the £250 million we have given to help areas recover and get communities back on their feet.”
The majority of funding for the “Strengthening Communities Fund” has been received from central government as match funding against Lancashire Flood Appeal public donations..
The Community Foundation is now inviting voluntary organisations, community groups and residents associations who are working in areas that have been affected by flooding as a result of Storm Desmond and Storm Eva to apply for funding of up to £10,000 to help with community resilience projects.
Communities are being encouraged to come together to discuss ways in which they can make their communities more resilient in future in order to benefit from the “Strengthening Communities Fund”.
Cathy Elliott, Chief Executive for the Community Foundation said: “We are grateful to everyone who has supported our Lancashire Flood Appeal, including government, to enable the Community Foundation to support thousands of residents across the county to rebuild their lives. The Minister’s visit today highlights one of many areas seriously affected, but one of many being rebuilt due to the strength of its community. We want to enable groups to build on that feeling of being part of a larger community, not only just in times of crisis, but also to support community activities throughout the year to keep the Lancashire community spirit alive.”
“By working with community leaders and district councils for guidance, we have created a new Flood Appeal Fund which will build on this community spirit to grow stronger communities together. Local communities are better placed to identify what needs to be done and will be able to respond more quickly. We look forward to receiving applications from across the county to our new Fund.”
The Lancashire Flood Appeal was launched by the Community Foundation on 8 December 2015 in response to Storm Desmond. To date £528,000 of Flood Appeal charitable grants have been distributed to over 237 households in the greatest need that have been affected by flooding, benefiting thousands of local people across the county.Donations have been received from a variety of sources, including from the public, trusts and foundations, such as Comic Relief, and businesses, such as United Utilities, which were then matched with government funding.
For more information on how to apply to the “Strengthening Communities Fund”, registered charities, residents associations, community groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to visit: www.lancsfloodappeal.org.uk
