People united in the face of adversity

For some, life has returned to normal and the harrowing scenes of The Wicker under six feet of fast moving water or workers having to be rescued by helicopter from their office roof tops are nothing but a distant memory.

But for the hundreds of people who lost their homes or belongings, the memory is as fresh today as it was two months ago.

And the temporary accommodation they wake up in every morning serves as a constant reminder of the work ahead.

Residents in the worst hit areas - such as Middlewood and Catcliffe - face an uncertain wait of up to nine months before they can return to their homes.

But villagers in Cornwall who have suffered the same ordeal and bounced back to tell the tale have urged South Yorkshire flood victims to be positive about the future.

The small Cornish harbour village of Boscastle was battered by ferocious storms on August 16 2004. The scale of the flooding was devastating.

Homes and businesses were literally washed away and it was hard to see how the north Cornish village would ever recover.

But it has. And keen to ensure South Yorkshire keeps up its flood-soaked spirits, two Boscastle residents paid a visit to Catcliffe to reassure the locals that it can be done - and to relive their own experiences at the hands of the Boscastle floods.

"The downstairs of my house was under five and a half feet of water," said 48-year-old artist Raymund Rogers.

"I actually crept back through the police barriers and lived upstairs in my house throughout the repair works but it was 11 months before the work was complete."

Eleven months is a long time to be confined to just half a house, but Raymund persevered and remained surprisingly level-headed throughout.

He credits the support of others in the same situation with getting him through the dark days.

"Those people who were not directly affected seemed to be the most dumbstruck," he said.

"But those of us who had our houses trashed just got on with it because we had to. The important thing for the people of Catcliffe to remember is that you are going to have some very dark days ahead.

"There will be times when no work has started on your property and it feels like you're getting nowhere, but the important thing is to stand together and not let the anger and the frustration get the better of you."

Trixie Webster was also caught up in the catastrophe after 20 feet of water washed away her family-run shop before bursting through the windows of her home.

"I lived in temporary accommodation for 10 months and I admit it was not easy," she said.

"You live from day to day not daring to think too far ahead. But, like everyone around me, I got through it. I shared my experience with the people of Catcliffe because I want them to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Boscastle actually fell under the South Yorkshire spotlight during the 2004 floods - when a Doncaster family were caught up in the deluge.

Religious studies teacher Barbara Upton was separated from her husband Tony and 14-year-old son John when the waters hit.

And it was almost 24 hours before the family was reunited at a local leisure centre - much to their relief as all three had feared the worst about each other.

Today, Boscastle is once again a picturesque harbour village and popular tourist destination.

But like the small Scottish town of Dunblane which received notoriety after a horrific massacre, the village is now known nationwide for one terrifying event - the floods.

"Three years on regeneration work is still ongoing and flood defences are a popular topic of debate. But we have recovered enough to talk about it and to be positive about the future," said Trixie.

Appeal fund

SOUTH Yorkshire's flood fund total has reached more than 645,000 - and the money is still coming in.

The total stood at 646,544.87 yesterday thanks to donations from a businesses and individuals.

The South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund, set up by the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, aims to alleviate the immediate hardship and suffering.

Donating to the fund can be done in several ways - through Yorkshire Ban use the sort code 05-08-03 and account number 21890701 or through Nat West, the details are sort code 56-00-09 account number 22293973.

Cheques can be sent, with a Gift Aid form, to South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Clay Street, Attercliffe, Sheffield, S9.

Alternatively, selected branches of the Barnsley Building Society are accepting counter donations - quote SYCF Flood Disaster Relief Fund.

Visit www.sycf.org.uk for more details.