A view of the flooded site. Photo: Courtesy of the York Travellers’ Trust.
York Friends help traveller community
Friends in York have been helping a flooded local gypsy/traveller site
Friends in York acted quickly to help members of the gypsy/traveller community who were recently affected when the flood barrier of the River Foss was breached on Boxing Day.
A sudden rise in the water level soon reached trailers on the gypsy/traveller site on James Street, which is located on the flood plain.
Staff members of the York Travellers’ Trust (YTT) were soon in touch with affected families via mobile phones and social media, offering whatever support they could. The YTT centre became the support hub for a community devastated by the loss of their homes.
‘The people of York responded magnificently’, the Trust says, ‘to an appeal for clothing and bedding. By 12:00 the next day the Travellers’ Trust, located in a former Adult School building, was so full of donated goods that no more could be accepted. Local supermarkets and businesses provided food and cleaning materials and travellers from around the country offered generous support.’
