Cumbria flooding fund reaches £2m

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A fund to aid victims of devastating flooding in Cumbria last year has hit its £2m target.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund has been providing financial assistance since the destruction brought by unprecedented downpours on 20 November.

More than 2,000 homes and businesses were flooded, with Cockermouth and Keswick worst affected.

The fund has topped its target after two local building societies pledged £115,000 raised by public donations.

Financial hardship

Andy Beeforth, director of the Cumbria Community Foundation which set up the fund, said: "The floods highlighted the warmth and generosity of local people.

"It also demonstrated what can be achieved when people and organisations work together."

More than 600 grants totalling £400,000 have so far been made to households facing financial hardship in the wake of the flooding, while £363,000 has been shared between community organisations and charities.

The community foundation is now set to review the demand for the fund and it will make an announcement on a revised target next week.

The most recent donations were made by the Cumberland Building Society and the Furness Building Society.