Flood hit residents in Doncaster have been forced to abandon homes with waist high flooding continuing for almost a week in Fishlake and other areas. Heavy rainfall hit parts of the UK last week and flooding remains widespread with further rains expected. Residents say they were not warned of the dangers to come which led to many to evacuate their homes. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Following the decision to call in the army to support flood hit communities, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Stainforth in Doncaster where residents have been among the worst hit. His visit was snubbed by many due to arriving late at the scene and not providing help sooner for those in need. Johnson visited the Fishlake area where some residents have been forced to abandon their homes. Around 100 army personnel and staff from the Environment Agency have been called in to support the flood relief effort. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Phill Bedford, a member of Stainforth Town Council.
South Yorkshire Community Foundation’s appeal for funds to support those affected by the recent floods has raised £80,000 so far towards their £250,000 target. The flood disaster appeal is intended to provide urgent support to people who have been displaced from their homes or suffered property damage in Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield. The foundation has been operating for over 33 years and have previously raised and distributed over 29 million pounds in grants to projects in South Yorkshire, including am earlier flood appeal in 2007 when the region also experienced devastating floods. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Ruth Willis, chief executive for South Yorkshire Community Foundation.
For more information visit:
South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Appeal
Sheffield activists held a Town Hall protest in support of McDonalds workers who have walked out at six London restaurants in a campaign to improve wages and working conditions. The action was one of many solidarity initiatives across the UK and internationally as McDonalds workers took to Downing Street to demand wages of £15 an hour and an end to youth rates and zero hours contracts. McDonalds, in response, have said the strikers represented a tiny proportion of its UK workforce. Sheffield Live spoke to Jenniffer Jones, co-chair of Momentum Sheffield.
Sheffield experienced one of the wettest days on record as heavy rainfall caused disruption in the city. Floods across South Yorkshire created chaos with 64mm of rain in Sheffield in 24 hours, the equivalent of a normal month’s precipitation. The incident brought memories of the 2007 floods in which two people lost their lives and extensive damage was caused to homes and businesses. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have responded to over 1200 weather calls and rescued over 120 people. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Kurdish community members and supporters in Sheffield joined a nationwide protest against the Turkish occupation of Northern Syria. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Proposals for workplace parking levy are among a raft of green policy actions tabled for consideration by Sheffield Council. The proposals, sponsored by the Green Party, respond to Sheffield’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis. Councillor Douglas Johnson told Sheffield Live! a similar approach taken by Nottingham Council has raised around £9 million to invest in public transport, cycle paths and walking routes. Azz Mohammed reports.
Recent Sheffield Hallam University illustration graduate Will Rea has been commissioned to create a public art installation for Orchard Square. The award follows a design competition for young artists run in collaboration with Museums Sheffield. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
The annual abseiling challenge down the sheer face of Hallam University’s Owen Building has raised more than £6000 for the British Red Cross. Despite the rain, dozens of participants took part in the 120 foot abseil down the landmark building that greets arrivals to Sheffield with the words of Andrew Motion’s poem ‘What if?…’ Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Lord Mayor of Sheffield Tony Dowling has launched the city’s annual Poppy Appeal which recognises the memory of those who have fallen in war. This year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day where many lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!