Photographs of Floods & Recovery - CLICK HERE

To the Emergency Teams....

To the police, fire brigade, mountain rescue, Keswick Lions and so many other volunteers who got very wet at the least and risked their lives in some cases. Actually, anyone in a yellow vest (I’ve got one now with “Chaplain” on it - but that came late.

Messages of Support and more....

Thanks, firstly, for the messages which came into both the parish and to individuals immediately after the floods. Sorry if we were out and there was no answer-phone to take your message - of if the phone was engaged due to calls for help or enquiries of one sort or another. Thanks to parishioners who came to the High Hill area of town to give practical help to people - thanks to the team at Castlerigg Manor who finally got stranded on the “wrong” side of the bridge! Thanks, also, to those who were involved in flood defences and recovery in the rural areas.

Offers of Help & Donations of Money

Individuals and groups from parishes telephoned to offer “man power” - to come over on a parish bus. Individuals offered furniture and goods (These will still be helpful, but when people return to their houses). Many telephone calls and e-mails guaranteed the prayers of whole parishes for those who were suffering and worried. Thanks for all these - they were appreciated if some of the practical help was difficult to organise (especially with bridges down and the threat of more flooding)

Cheques came from communities and from poorer individuals - some from regular visitors to Our Ladys’ and some from concerned people who lived far from the Lakes. The Bishop sent a considerable donation soon after the flood which was followed by a cheque from the people of the Diocese from a church collection. Some money was specifically for church building, others for the people of Keswick - all was sent to be used as we saw fit at that time. Thanks to all for your generosity - but also for your concern, thoughts and prayers.

It is difficult to detail the use of this money at this stage and in this forum but an indication is that monies have been spent in these areas:

The Keswick Lions fund and work for immediate calls for aid after the flood and towards people our of their homes at Christmas.

Particular families with young people who were out of their homes in preparation for Christmas In thanks to the volunteers who provided soup (and still do) to flooded people from the local churches. Towards gatherings of different groups effected by floods in work developing presently. Small immediate grants to those in need Towards the development of flood resiliency in church - especially betterment of boiler not covered by insurance. (Money is set aside for the future use of those with needs in moving back to their refurbished homes)

It is evident that a number some old and sick people have suffered health problems due to the upheaval of the floods - some have died as a distant result. Please prayer for them and remember their families.