FORTY households in Newcastleton, hit by floods during Storm Dennis earlier this year, have been given help, thanks to money raised in a crowdfunding appeal.
The GoFundMe page was set up online by villager Jamie Thompson after he’d been moved by the plight of families, whose belongings were destroyed in the floods.
He hoped to raise enough to replace a few of the things they desperately needed and help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Applications were invited and a committee set up to decide how best to use the money.
Libby Kennedy, committee member, said they were all amazed when the appeal raised £14,500.
Donations ranged from £5 to £1,000, coming in from individuals, organisations such as Copshaw Common Riding, people who used to live in the village, others who have enjoyed holidays in the area and various church groups.
The money will make a great difference to many families.
Libby said: “I spoke to one villager who was in tears after receiving money from the fund.
“She and her family had been very badly hit and had to leave their house on the night of the flood with just a carrier bag of possessions they’d been able to save.”