A flooded back garden in Whyteleafe.

The Whyteleafe Flood Appeal started by Reverend Tim Goode of St. Luke's Church, Whyteleafe along with Cllr. Tom Dempsey, landlord of The Whyteleafe Tavern and Surrey County Councillor, Sally Marks, has so far raised the impressive sum of over £15,000 to help those affected by the recent floods. The organisers would now like to issue grants and are appealing to those affected by the flood to please contact them.

Reverend Tim said: “The idea came to me to start a fund when I met a couple on a train on the way back to Whyteleafe who said that although they felt great sympathy for the victims of the flood, they felt powerless to help them in any way. So the fund was started to enable people to help their neighbours at this difficult time. It was as much about empowering people to help and that was one of my main motivators. Tom and Sally have worked tirelessly to help those affected by the flood and I have been immensely impressed. The Whyteleafe Flood Appeal has been a way for everyone else to show their support to the victims as well.

When the appeal was launched the couple I met on the train got in touch and said how pleased they were and made a donation of £100!”

Since the launch of the appeal in February, many more private individuals and local businesses have made donations, as well as local organisations such as the Caterham Rotary Clubs and Caterham, Oxted and Godstone Lions.

Tim said: “We now want everyone who needs to, to make a claim. We do not want to miss anyone out. Tom and Sally have been calling at properties they know have been affected by the flood but there will be other properties that suffered damage that we may not be aware of.

The funds being given out are not means tested and are open to all. No-one should feel embarrassed to claim if they have been affected. If funds are required urgently then the claim should be marked 'Emergency' and it will be looked at as soon as we receive it.

If you need to make a claim or if you know of any Whyteleafe resident who suffered flood damage to their property and/or garden who may wish to make a claim, please download and complete the attached form and send to:

Whyteleafe Flood Appeal
8 Whyteleafe Hill
Whyteleafe
Surrey CR3 0AA.

Click here to download form: Whyteleafe Flood Appeal Claim Form