Have faith, help is on the way
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!” These are the words that will resonate with me for a lifetime, spoken by Pastor Paul Hollingworth during our chat at Lifehouse Church.
When the River Rother overflowed its banks in Chesterfield, it was Lifehouse Church, or more specifically, the dedicated individuals who work and volunteer there, who stepped up and took the lead during the most significant crisis Chesterfield has faced in many years.
I caught up with Pastor Paul over a coffee to hear about the pivotal role played in supporting the communities affected by the floods.
“My son sent me a picture of the river down by the Junction Bar, and I thought wow, that is high. So, I went down to the bottom of Alma Street, spoke to a couple of concerned residents and less than one hour later it had breached the flood defences and started coming up the street,” says Paul.
"The water rapidly started infiltrating the church's cellar, leaving us helpless in that regard. Our focus shifted to the main hall and auditorium. We swiftly arranged tables and chairs, assigned someone to the café area, and decided that anyone seeking refuge should be welcomed with a warm drink and a safe haven,” affirms Paul.
It wasn’t long before the residents of Brampton began to seek shelter at the church.
“Over the next eight hours, up until about 9pm that night, people just kept walking in. Some of them would be clutching pets, bin liners full of valuables, all of them cold, wet, and seeking help. We tried our best to make people feel welcomed, comfortable and cared for,” says Paul.
The church also provided a base for the emergency services to work from.
"The fire brigade established their operations at the church, and we did everything in our power to provide support, sustenance, and refreshments for them. Our church was right at the heart of the crisis, allowing us to fulfil the core mission of any church, which is to care for and serve its community. By the day's end, the emergency services, as well as all of us, were physically and emotionally drained,” Paul shared.
Just after 9pm Queens Park Sports Centre was declared a base for anybody affected by the floods. This gave Paul and his team of selfless volunteers time to breathe and plan for the next stage of the operation.
"The following morning, I woke up early with a deep sense of responsibility to return to Chatsworth Road and evaluate the extent of the damage. The scene was chaotic, with cars scattered haphazardly, and the area was covered in sludge and debris. We observed residents who seemed disoriented, reluctantly discarding their belongings on their doorsteps. It was truly heart-wrenching to witness treasured photo albums and family heirlooms amidst the discarded items. We couldn't stand by, so we decided to act.
"We headed to Greggs, bought a generous supply of sandwiches, and distributed them to those affected. We then hired some skips and located them in the church car park and a couple of spaces on streets where parking was available. Our team of volunteers assisted the residents with the clean-up and whatever they required,” says Paul.
"Later that evening, we collaborated with local businesses, including Pizza Pi Mobile Catering, to provide food and drinks. Our primary goal was to convey our genuine care for the community. One of my guiding principles is that 'people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.' It was on that Saturday that people truly realised the depth of our concern and compassion for them."
But Paul and the team didn't stop at providing immediate relief. Recognising that many of the flood victims would need financial support to replace lost possessions and repair their homes, they took further action.
They initiated, with other community leaders, the Flood Victims Appeal, aiming to offer a modest contribution to each of the 700 homes in need. (See QR code to donate).
“Thanks to the generosity of the people of Chesterfield our initial target was achieved very quickly. We are currently sat around £85,000 and we hope to hit £100,000. It would be wonderful to give every home something. If it’s not a massive amount, hopefully it will make a difference,” smiles Paul.
In the coming days, weeks and months, the church is actively seeking volunteers to contribute to the renovation of homes. They are especially interested in hearing from tradespeople who could spare a day to plaster a room, lay a floor, or fit a kitchen cupboard, among other skills.
If you're willing to lend a hand in any capacity, please reach out to the team on 07711 260992.
S40 and S41 Local Magazines extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who offered support to the victims of the floods. Your exceptional kindness makes us proud to be part of the Chesterfield community.
Commenti