A group set up in the wake of Storm Desmond to deal with another large scale emergency has made a plea for more volunteers.
It is almost eight years since homes and businesses in Keswick were ravaged by the deluge which dumped 1.15 trillion litres of rain on Cumbria in just 48 hours.
The community effort to restore Keswick to normality was immense with volunteers helping vulnerable residents to prepare for the storm before giving up their time to assist with the clean-up and devastating aftermath.
They helped to find places for people to live and assisted with lifting carpets and furniture, setting up food banks and administration and it led to the creation of the Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership.
Since Storm Desmond, many of the volunteers have moved away, or retired their positions.
So the partnership is now appealing for people to step forward and fill the various volunteer roles.
Claire Peat, who has recently taken on the role of project manager, said: “Since the town’s Women’s Institute disbanded, we have no volunteer group to provide food for the mountain rescue team at their base during a drawn out emergency.
“We also need people that would be prepared to assist with putting up flood gates, and ensuring our vulnerable residents are aware, and can put their personal flood plans into action.”
If you’d like to register as a volunteer contact Claire on keswickfloodrecovery@gmail.com, or call 07841678767.
Training on using the radio handsets will be taking place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, and the afternoon of October 3, if you would like to sign up in advance, and meet some other volunteers.
