FORESTERS have come together to help those who have been affected by the floods and storm damage.

A community helpline has been set up to distribute household essentials.

The Forest of Dean Flood Helpline for Those in Need was set up on Facebook in the wake of the damagecaused by Storms Ciara and Dennis.

It has received invaluable help from businessman Karl Williams who has made his unit in Cinderford available to store goods from toothbrushes to electrical items.

The Facebook group has more 1,300 members and has been inundated with goods from people anxious to help those affected by the storms.

It grew out of another community help group that was set up by Poppy Gee.

Helpline spokesperson Glenda Ward Watton said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us and particularly Karl.

“He has been an absolute star in allowing us to use his unit to store the donations.

“The group took off really quickly because there are so many people who want to help.

“People are being so kind.”

Karl, who runs Royal Forest of Dean Wood Company, said he felt he had to act when he saw the Facebook group last week.

The father-of-two, who lives in Bream, said: “I saw this on Facebook but I left it alone the first night.

“I literally couldn’t sleep all night and the next day I thought: ‘I’ve got the space, I haven’t got the time but I’ll make the time and make it work for people.’

“Hopefully they’d do it for me or my kids.

“We stick together. I can earn money next week but people can’t get their houses back straight away, they are in a lot worse position than I am

“I live in Bream so I am out of the way but it could have been me, it could be my kids.

“The more people show they are willing to help, it pushes others to help.”

In a post on Facebook, Poppy said: “I have spoken to a lot of people who have had their homes flooded and it’s heartbreaking to hear just how bad it is.

“They have been left with a deluge of mud and in some cases, even sewerage, can you just imagine that ?

“The big clean up can’t even happen until their insurers have been and assessed the damage which means they are not allowed to touch anything till they do.

“All this takes time so this is not going to be an overnight job.

“There are some people who have insurance to only find out the company won’t cover them for flood damage and some people won’t have any insurance at all.

“We are still getting the word out there that we are here to help

“We wont give in we are on a mission.”

Anyone who needs help can contact Glenda Ward Watton on 07837 427374.