A group of big-hearted Islanders that have been helping neighbourhoods affected by flooding in recent days have been given a helping hand themselves, thanks to Wight Building Materials.
The group, coordinated by Sam Loba, have been supplementing the efforts of Island Roads staff by clearing gullies, rodding pipes and clearing out houses.
A key message over the last few days has been that they needed more sandbags… so Blackwater-based Wight Building Materials stepped in with a donation of 10 tonnes of sand to fill donated bags. Tesco has donated 500 carrier bags for use as sandbags.
The much-needed sand to fill these bags was delivered to Seaclose Park car park in Newport yesterday (Monday), thanks to the efforts of Councillor Matt Price.
Speaking about the community effort, Sam has said:
“We desperately needed this. With more bad weather forecast and the Island already waterlogged, we know the sand will be gratefully received.
“We started helping out last Wednesday night in Simeon Street and The Strand and have continued in Carisbrooke and Gunville.
“To see water running through people’s houses was heartbreaking and I knew I had to do something to help.
Article continues below this advertisement “Other guys have been quick to get involved and the love we have seen on social media has been amazing.”
Jamie Webster, of Reno Drain, has joined Sam in the effort to clean up, putting pumps into people’s homes and helping with drain clearance.
Other support has come in the form of a £100 donation from Price’s Garage towards Sam’s team’s fuel costs, while Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council has also made a donation.
Steve Burton, of Wight Building Materials, has said:
“As an Island company with 40 local employees, we all knew someone affected by these unprecedented conditions. We were more than happy to help these great people with their community-minded efforts.”
Cllr Matt Price adds:
“It is wonderful to see big-hearted Isle of Wight people supporting Island Roads staff with this rare event, and I thank Wight Building Materials for acting so quickly.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to ‘buy the guys a few drinks’ for their efforts. However, Sam and Jamie have both said they will donate the money to people in need after the floods. So far over £700 has been raised.
And what have the council done have they donated anything? After all they can spend millions on the floating bridge
Maybe that councillor should button it when the council are obviously not doing enough to help.
What a joke saying these guys have supplemented the work by the council… these guys are DOING the job of the council and doing it so much better too!! They are amazing. The council on the other hand…..
Well done lads.
Note to council this is how to do it. Get off your lazy backsides and get out there and help
Absolute respect to you guys helping out in tough times specially with the weather
Thank you so much. You are all heros to us. Old fashioned community spirit at it’s best.
I didn’t realise the fire brigade weren’t able to help in such emergencies – I thought this was part of their services.
So thank you all, once again for everything you’ve done. Absolute super stars.