A Suffolk charity boss is calling for Government support for homeowners and businesses in Suffolk, which were flooded during recent storms, to be 'sped up'.
Latest figures from Suffolk County Council reveal that flooding of more than 800 properties has so far been reported to the authority - 680 homes and 120 businesses.
And Nick Corke, chief executive of Framlingham-based Hour Community, said the Framlingham Flood Appeal, set up to help flooding victims, had smashed its target.
It has so far collected £25,000 after initially aiming to raise £10,000 to help homeowners who were flooded out by Storm Babet at the end of October.
Mr Corke said: "People have been so generous. It has been amazing. They have given from a few pounds up to £2,000 or £3,000. The more we have got, the more we can do."
READ MORE: Appeal to help Suffolk residents flooded out by Storm Babet
He added the funds will help approximately 70 homeowners in the town to 'restart their lives' by providing 'various bits and pieces' for them, such as bedding and linen.
Households in the town were forced to find alternative accommodation when Framlingham Mere burst its banks, engulfing roads and homes in brown water which submerged cars and prevented traffic from getting through.
The Railway Inn pub in Station Road was also badly damaged by the tide, which destroyed tables and chairs and much of the electrical equipment in the kitchen.
READ MORE: JustGiving appeal for Suffolk pub flooded by Storm Babet
Earlier this month, the EADT reported that funding for homeowners hit by flooding was being made available through the Government's flood recovery network.
However, Mr Corke said homeowners who urgently needed financial support were still awaiting money from the fund some three or four weeks after the flooding.
READ MORE: Framlingham news
"The reality is that it is the very nature of Government. It is good that they are doing something, but how long does it take? Is it not possible to speed it up," he said.
He said in many cases, people who had been flooded out could not afford to wait for the money to arrive.
A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said local authorities were working to get payments and reductions out as quickly as possible.
He added more than 800 potential claimants had come forward via the online flooding reporting tool on the council's website.
The spokesperson said the process was that the county council was working with district and borough councils to collect information about homeowners affected and how much they needed.
The funding distributed by the councils would then be reclaimed from the Government.
The financial support available for Storm Babet claimants includes £500 for homes and £2,500 for businesses, along with potentially a 100% discount on council tax or business rates for a minimum of three months.
Homes and businesses could also be eligible for up to £5,000 funding to make their homes more resilient to future flooding.
This financial support is set to become available during November.
The county council's leader Matthew Hicks said: “We are committed to ensuring this vital financial support finds its way into the hands of those who need it.
"I encourage those who have not yet submitted a report via the reporting tool to do so as soon as possible.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Framlingham Flood Appeal can do so at the account below:
Name: Hour Community
Sort Code: 201995
Account number: 13223590
READ MORE: Suffolk news
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