Neil Gets Motoring To Help Flood Victims

LONDON – Feb 19, 2014: A CAR dealership worker has been getting behind the wheel of a 4X4 to do his bit to help those affected by floods in Somerset.

Neil Priddle, After Sales Manager at Weston Super Mare Mitsubishi, has been helping to bag the sand before delivering it in a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up. The vehicle, which has been fitted with a light on the roof, has proved the perfect way of getting to homeowners in desperate need of sandbags.

Neil, 31, who lives in Bridgwater, has spent two weekends and some evenings helping bag the sand before delivering the sandbags to people in Burrow Bridge, Moorland and North Newton. He has also helped reinforced the riverside footpath with woodchips between Burrow Bridge and Stathe.

Neil got involved after contacting the voluntary organisation Flood on the Levels Action Group (FLAG) and his boss at Weston Super Mare Mitsubishi, Brand Manager Glen Gilliam, was happy to let him borrow the vehicle to help out.

Neil said: “I just couldn’t sit back and watch anymore. My best friend lives out in Moorland and they lost their house to the floods – they tried to stop the water but it came up through the floorboards.

“I’ve been out in the pitch black, in the middle of nowhere, delivering sandbags. We couldn’t find one person’s house and I was on the phone to him and he spotted the light on top of the L200 so it’s ideal.

“The clear-up will be horrible, so I’ll help with that too. I found the FLAG website and offered to help and everyone has been brilliant. You go in as strangers and leave as friends, I’ve met so many great people there. People are coming from all over the place just to help.”