Floods: What can I do?

[Kilala]

I have no annual leave left and am living hand to mouth so can't give mone- i will give some next payday though- but i am DESPARATE to help the people affected by the flooding in some way. Is there anything I can do? It has barely rained where I live and I am so so lucky. Any (sensible) suggestions welcome.

[Whickerman]

You're very charitable - well done.

How about organising some workplace collections? Not just money, but the red cross will surely be involved now so things like blankets, clothes etc may be needed.

Or organising a benefit night/fundraising disco/quiznight - that kind of thing?

[derekpara]

Very commendable, Kilala.

What I want to know is, where are all those 'celebs', including SIR Bod Geldoff, who rush to be seen 'helping the suffering' in other countries ?

They make me sick.

[Panic Button]

If we all give to a fund then Gordon will reduce amount the government pays.

[Neilzulu1]

If we all give to a fund then Gordon will reduce amount the government pays.

What do you mean, our taxes are the governments response !!

[Panic Button]

Oh come on. Lottery was not supposed to substitute for government spending, but it does big time.

The more we work at collecting money to buy equipment for hospitals the less the gov has to shell out for them.

Schools have fetes to raise money for things that taxes should pay for.

Its obvious that if we raise a million to help people that is one million less that Gordon will allow his puppet exchequer to pay out.

[Aschenbach]

Well done Kilala. Good Luck.

I also see Answerbank is automatically putting our spelling mistakes in upper case now.

Testing..... naiively comend careing attittude inn comfortible sollace

[libertie]

Funnily enough there was a bit of a discussion about this in the pub last night and the decision was made that they were going to try and find an old peoples home in one of the flooded areas and kinda adopt it! Any money that is raised over the next week or two will be for that home in particular to help provide a few treats for them! Good luck!

[Kilala]

OK, so I didn't check my spelling... Apologies!

Trying to find one group that we can try and support might work. I was also thinking- we need some clever bod to set up a website displaying stuff people would donate-
I would happily buy a load of books and stuff that the kids might appreciate- plastic toys- if not washed away- will at least dry. Books will be ruined. The same will go for soft toys.

When I was at school we used to make shoeboxes full of stuff we'd enjoy getting for Christmas and it would be sent out to kids in orphanages (can't remember in which country, sadly.) Would this be appropriate in this situation? The kids are off for the summer with their parents trying to clear up homes, work etc. Might be nice to get a few little new things to play with.

[Whickerman]

The Red Cross have just started appealing here in Ireland for the victims of the floods. Thought you'd all like to know.