The second phase of the Flood Victims Appeal Fund distributions is progressing smoothly with some fine tuning taking place to cater for claimants requirements.
Visitors to FirstCall Castle Morpeth on Bridge Street making enquiries about claiming do not have to wait long before being assisted by administrators Rhona Dunn and Elphin Conroy. They are there on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 3pm. Once an application form is completed and agreed, the necessary documentation is faxed to Red Cross in Newcastle who are arranging for vouchers to be posted out. Anyone unable to call at FirstCall can telephone for forms and arrange a later interview. In the meantime, the Rotary Club Furniture Depot at Pegswood is still collecting and delivering furniture and furnishings daily. It is open to flood victims in need on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3pm. If however these hours are not convenient, Rhona Dunn is prepared to open up at any reasonable time. Her telephone number is 07977 320681 and there is now a telephone in the depot (01670 518884). Flood victims requiring furniture or furnishings should continue to approach British Red Cross initially. Their emergency telephone number is 07623 912340.
During the past week it was possible to help out at Rothbury when the village was deprived of gas, electricity and water at various times. Red Cross were called upon to assist the emergency services and quickly identified the need for the elderly particularly to keep warm.