1 ** Our paediatrician Alistair Morris has been on flood alert over the past week with the Calder Valler Search and Rescue Team. (see picture) Here's his account of their amazing work where he describes conditions in the Lakes as "apocalyptic".
"I have been involved in the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team responses to flooding in various areas – Carlisle and Appleby in the Lakes back in early December and then York on Monday. The team also responded to multiple jobs around Calder Valley on Boxing Day in assisting people to safety and trapped medical patients to hospital where the Yorkshire Ambulance Service could not access.
"I attend as one of the team doctors and support for the fully trained swift water rescue team. We ensured that the local area flood incidents were completed before deploying to help those in York.
"Flooding is always devastating. The Lakes were apocalyptic and driving around seeing the devastation and helping families brought home how much impact this has on individuals. To then see the destruction in your local town is even more upsetting. However the support of others was very warming. The team was warmly received and supported by the flood centres.
"In order to improve our team flood response 4 team members including myself are running 108 miles of the Pennine Way on 9th Jan (Spine Challenger event) to raise money for the team water section donations via http://www.cvsrt.org.uk/events/item/1008-spine-race-2016
2 ** Jane Frost (Matron HRI Ward 10,22,15,3) and Sharon Berry (Clinical Operations Manager, Main Theatres ext. 2780) are co-ordinating a staff campaign to raise funds to help those in the local community who have been affected by the Boxing Day floods.
Jane said: "If all staff felt able to donate 50p to the campaign this would enable a substantial donation to be made from the staff at CHFT."
We have various staff members who have volunteered to co-ordinate the appeal in many areas of the Trust, please feel free to contact either of us for further info.
3 **The Community Foundation for Calderdale is co-ordinating a fund for those affected by the devastating recent floods.
Find out more on www.cffc.co.uk or call 01422 349700