Lending a Helping Hand
by People helping people during the floods in Ireland by donating goods and services.
Lending a helping hand
Families, whose houses have been damaged in some of the worst floods ever to hit Ireland, are being supported by the generosity of the Irish people.
The website, www.offersofhelp.com, has already received a large number of offers from people all over Ireland looking to donate goods and services for those most affected by the floodwaters.
Geraldine and Gareth White set up the non-profit website. The floods in Athlone have cut off access to Ms. White’s elderly mother’s house. The family must carry out continuous checks to make sure she is safe and has enough provisions.
This motivated the Whites to set up the website for people who may be in the same situation, but may not have anyone to help.
Many victims all over Ireland have been left homeless by the catastrophe.
But through this website, people have offered their services free of charge to help flood victims try and have their houses ready for Christmas. Carpentry, plumbing and electrical are some of the services on offer.
An accountant, in the west of Ireland, has offered to help flood victims fill out insurance claims and those with IT expertise have volunteered to try and restore water-damaged computers.
Others have offered their time to help clean up the aftermath of the floods.
“People have extra stuff at home or in the garage that they don’t actually use and some people could really do with these items at the moment” said Ms. White.
A table and six chairs, beds, televisions, kettles and a three-piece suite are other items that have been donated through the website.
Ms. White explained that the main point of the website was to localise the help. People can list items they would like to donate in their particular area. So those affected can get the goods and services more efficiently.”
People are also offering to help transport the goods to people in need. Geraldine hopes that friends and neighbours will also volunteer to help collect items for people who may not have the necessary transport.
“The website shows all of the community coming together and that these resources are here if needed” Ms. White added.
Ballinasloe native, Ailbhe Burke, had her home destroyed in the recent floods. She said: “The response from all over Ireland is incredible. People like Geraldine and Gareth are making this mess easier for us to deal with.”
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