Created & issued by The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross National Floods Appeal has raised £1m following a £100,000 donation from The Vodafone Group Foundation. The Red Cross, which has been at the forefront of the emergency relief effort, launched the appeal on the 24th July to help vulnerable people rebuild their lives after the floods.
Many of Vodafone's staff who live near their Newbury headquarters have been affected by the flooding. Andrew Dunnett, Director of The Vodafone Group Foundation said: "The Vodafone Group Foundation felt it was vital to support the British Red Cross to assist communities devastated by the recent floods. As the biggest domestic emergency relief operation since the Second World War, we believe it is critical to ensure that the ongoing relief effort can get to those who most need it. We hope our donation to the National Floods Appeal, combined with assisting projects in our region, will go some way to ensure a speedy programme of recovery."
Mark Astarita, director of fundraising at the British Red Cross, said: "Once again we have been amazed by the public outpouring of generosity in response to this unprecedented disaster."
"People have seen the devastation wrecked upon communities up and down the country and have stepped forward to help."
Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly throughout the UK to get emergency assistance, such as food and water, to those most in need. Volunteers also worked at rest centres, providing practical help and emotional support, for people evacuated from their homes. As the floodwaters continue to recede, it is clear that thousands of lives have been shattered. The British Red Cross National Floods Appeal is raising money to help people to recover and move on with their lives.
Astarita continued: "We know that in most communities there are vulnerable people who will need extra help to rebuild their lives after these devastating floods. Our Floods Appeal will help people in need, such as the elderly, families on low income, and those with disabilities, rebuild their shattered lives."
Money from the appeal will primarily be used by local charities set-up to assist people in the affected areas. Money will be distributed to them via local authorities who may also use part of the money themselves to undertake recovery work. The fund will help people affected by recent flooding in England & Wales, including those in the North of England affected by flooding in June.
Corporate donations to the appeal have also come from ABN AMRO Mellon, Brit Insurance, Capital One, Centrica, John Lewis Partnership, and Microsoft. Tesco have also donated to Flood Appeal and have also provided food and water for distribution by the Red Cross to people affected by the flooding. Collections have been taking place in Asda stores throughout the country, with the amount raised to be matched by the Asda Foundation. Local Sainsbury's stores are also supporting the appeal. Land Rover has also provided four vehicles, which have been used to help with the relief efforts in Gloucestershire.
To donate to the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal go to: www.redcross.org.uk/floodsappeal or call 0845 054 7200.
Donations can also be made by post to: British Red Cross National Floods Appeal, FREEPOST RLSA - XLXK-SXKZ, London, EC2Y 9AL
Notes to editors
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.
Of the current appeal total £50,000 is Gift Aid to be reclaimed from the Government. This may eventually grow to £200,000 when all donations are in.
The Vodafone Foundation will be joining an advisory panel to the Fund, which will include independent experts with grant-making or voluntary sector experience.
About The Vodafone Group Foundation
The Vodafone Group Foundation is a UK registered Charity established by Vodafone Group Plc in 2002. It currently receives £25million per annum from the Vodafone Group Plc Board which it distributes between projects globally and its unique global footprint of 22 local Vodafone Foundations and social investment projects established by the operating companies.
The Vodafone Group Foundation is committed to providing assistance in the area of disaster response. Its main aim is to develop partnerships which enhance long term disaster response and preparedness activity, working with organisations such as the United Nations Foundation, Telecoms Sans Frontieres, Oxfam and MapAction. It also seeks wherever possible to make a direct contribution in response to critical humanitarian crises. www.vodafonefoundation.org.