Support flows for flooded Skipton

MEMBERS of Skipton Lions Club are leading a fundraiser to aid the flood-affected town.

The initiative is being run via a GoFundMe page, and Skipton local and Lions member Laura Leslie said the support is much needed.

“We’ve pretty much lost the op shop so that’ll be a few months at least to fix up. Everything’s had to be removed from the Emu Creek Deli,” she said.

“There’s a couple homes that haven’t been very lucky as well and we’re not sure if those three or four families will return.

“This is the heart of our community. If we didn’t have the op shop… we wouldn’t have as many opportunities for the local primary school.”

More than 30 donations have been made since the page was created on Monday afternoon with more than $4500 contributed.

A flood relief appeal committee has been established consisting of three Skipton Lions Club members with the aim of recruiting residents outside the organisation.

It’s estimated more than 20 Skipton properties have been impacted by the floods.

“We want to start helping people immediately,” Ms Leslie said. “We’ll work the support around what each person needs, whether it has to be financial, food, clothes, rehoming.

“This is a small town where everyone knows everyone, and we just need everyone to help out and get us back on the map.”

A community clean-up is set for Saturday, 22 October. Visit bit.ly/3eInmuw.