Sofa, so good... furniture company comes to the rescue of York flood victims

Around the county, their pain was shared, though. Businesses were moved to act. Now, many of those who suffered can look forward to re-building in style, thanks to the support of others.

Harveys, the largest furniture retailer in the UK, have typified that spirit by donating more than £50,000 of items for those whose lives have been disrupted so much. There are 64 items in total, ranging from chairs to sofa beds and three seaters.

Iolanda Cuomo, of Harveys, said: “We are honoured to be able to contribute to this worthy cause and, by donating furniture to the victims, we hope this goes some way to helping them repair their homes and their lives.”

The donations mean that the flood-affected sufferers have been given the opportunity to turn up at a showroom and personally choose a sofa. It is a welcome first step in returning to the comfort that they were once accustomed to.

The York and Selby Community Stores are who Harveys have been working with. That local charity, recommended by York County Council, has been at the forefront of relief work.

Items donated to the charity - from all sorts of donors, along with Harveys - are available free of charge to help people in temporary accommodation needing furniture. These are also available to people remaining in their homes whilst repair work is carried out.

Ruth Batty, chief officer at the York and Selby Community Furniture Stores, thinks that “having a comfortable sofa will be a boost for many of them at this traumatic time”.

Explaining what people have been facing, in the aftermath of the floods, she said: “On average, people are expecting to be in temporary housing for up to 12 months. Some are remaining in damp homes, mainly because they do not have insurance or prefer staying because they are ill or elderly.”