Volunteers sought for Christmas clean-up for flood hit Doncaster village

Hundreds of residents in Fishlake are still clearing up after last month’s floods which saw the River Don deluge dozens of homes in the area.

Now big-hearted volunteers are being encouraged to join a huge clean-up campaign next weekend to help get the village sparkling again in time for Christmas.

The Big Christmas Clean-Up Campaign is aimed at removing the piles of litter which have been left across the village and surrounding fields and farmland after the flood water receded.

And while many residents are not expected to be able to move back into their homes until well into the New Year, the initiative is aimed at helping bring a little bit of festive cheer to Fishlake.

Stuart Smith, who is helping to co-ordinate the litter pick on December 21, said: “Our aim is to pick the litter that has settled since the flood waters have receded.

“Whether you can spare an hour or the whole day any help will make a difference.”

Volunteers are asked to arrive at Fishlake Church for 9.45am for a briefing at 10am with litter picking taking place from 10.15am to 1.15pm.

There will be a lunch break from 1.15pm to 1.45pm with further cleaning up from 1.45pm to 4pm.

All volunteers are asked to bring the following items:

Warm clothing / Waterproofs

Wellies

Hi-vis – although organisers can provide you with one if you don't already own one

Gloves

Litter pickers if you have one

Hot drinks and food will be provided.

In addition, the village is also set to receive a 25ft Christmas tree – in addition to Bentley, which also suffered massively during the floods.

The Rotary Clubs of Doncaster and Bawtry have supplied the trees which are just to be delivered, installed and lit later today.

In Fishlake, the tree will be lit at The Landing, while in Bentley, it will be erected at Yarborough Terrace, one of the streets heavily flooded when the River Don burst its banks.