Fire service inundated with calls

GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service received more than 500 calls, including 300 flooding-related incidents, over the course of Boxing Day.

Crews, including some from Oldham, waded waist-deep in freezing water as they rescued up to 1,000 people in under 24 hours as water levels rose in some of the worst hit areas — Salford, Wigan, Bury, Bolton and Rochdale.

County fire officer Peter O’Reilly said: “There were many calls from individuals just looking for help as water poured into their homes, damaging electrics and power supplies as well as belongings and personal possessions.

“Crews reported seeing people’s Christmas presents and other things floating out of their homes. One man was swimming across his living room - trying to retrieve his slippers.”


AN appeal to help victims of the Boxing Day flooding was launched across Greater Manchester by charity Forever Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Flood Recovery Appeal aims to raise funds to directly support individuals and families in hardship and vital community organisations and resident groups in the areas affected by the flooding.

The appeal was kick-started by Forever Manchester with a £50,000 donation from the Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund and hopes to raise a similar amount from the general public.

To donate, visit http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/forevermanchester/GMFloodRecoveryAppeal.