Debbie praised for flood work

A woman from Staffordshire who helped deal with the aftermath of this summer's floods has been among those praised by the Prime Minister at a special reception in London.

Debbie Hackett, from Rugeley, was praised for showing courage, ingenuity and community spirit during the summer's floods at a reception at Lancaster House last week. Debbie is a volunteer for the British Red Cross and is the co-ordinator for the Staffordshire Fire Emergency Support Unit for the Red Cross working in partnership with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

During the floods Debbie arrived at Fazeley, near Lichfield, on a Saturday morning and worked continually between Elford and Fazeley until late on the Sunday night.

She arranged meetings between residents and the relevant agencies to help allay residents' fears and she visited by boat all the houses of residents who had decided to stay in their homes ensuring they had medicines, food and drink.

Speaking at the reception, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, thanked those who worked to tackle the flood telling them: "It is sometimes said that ours is an era in which the traditional sense of community has declined.

"What we showed over the summer months is that we are indeed a strong community, that people are prepared to be good neighbours and help each other, that people are prepared to support each other in times of need."

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey said: "It was a real honour to meet so many everyday heroes and hear their stories.

"Opening up their home to provide shelter to strangers, risking their own lives to save others, organising and distributing sandbags to neighbours and securing donations so those in need had something to eat and drink – are just some of these remarkable stories."