Flood Fund reaches First £15k

Southwell has now got through the first stage of the Grant in Aid application process for mitigation measures.This grant will not cover the full cost of a flood alleviation scheme, but significant contributions from local authorities have been pledged towards the project.

The Southwell Flood Fund was set up to raise a community contribution of £125k. Recent generous donations from the Garden Party – held on a beautiful August summer day at Westhorpe Lodge – and successful events run by the Civic Society and Gardening Club boosted the Fund to reach the first significant milestone of £15k. Pictured is Rob Jordan, Chairman of Southwell Flood Forum being presented with a cheque for £1152.86 by Brendan Haigh, Chairman of Southwell Civic Society. The money was raised at a garden party held by the society at Hardwick House, home of Barry Austen.

We are delighted and encouraged to have achieved this and thank all the people and organisations who have helped.

The Flood Fund is managed by Nottinghamshire Community Foundation which means the full benefits of tax-efficient giving are possible and we appreciate their hard work and support.

Cllr Bruce Laughton said “This is a fantastic start given that the Flood Forum did not even know that a community contribution was expected until March this year. To make sure Southwell scored the necessary points to qualify for Grant-in-Aid, it was necessary to have a meaningful sum as a community contribution. It was also necessary to demonstrate that the target is achievable to enable the overall bid to get through the first stage. Without a community contribution Southwell would not be eligible for Grant-in-Aid and flood mitigation measures would not be possible. The Forum has worked incredibly hard and is proving that it has every intention of raising its mandatory contribution.”

For more information visit www.southwellfloodforum.org.uk, phone 01636 819233 (fundraising) or 815739 (general).