Local businesses and charities are this week busy rallying round to help residents on the Somerset Levels affected by the recent floods. Whilst the bad storms experienced of late are beginning to ease, the clear-up operation is beginning in earnest, with fundraising by groups, such as the Lions, collecting clothes, supplies and money to donate to those who have had to leave the area or suffered damage to their homes. Recently, staff from Brington Engineering, in Chilcompton, spent a day on the Somerset Levels helping residents affected by the floods.

The company decided to help out communities cut off by floodwater, after watching the crisis unfold on the news and via social media. Operations Director at Brington, Ann Cooper, contacted the Environment Agency and FLAG (Flooding on the Levels Action Group) about offering their services. She said: "Being an engineering company, we have skills and equipment that could help, so we got in contact with them."

Eight members of staff, including Dean Seymour, from Radstock, Dave Bruton, Ben Player and Darren Lane, from Midsomer Norton, Phil Hinks, from Frome, Jon Henley, from Trowbridge, Mark Gillard, from Shepton Mallet, and Alun Gillett, from Batcombe, travelled to Burrowbridge, in Somerset, where they helped several houses that were stranded because of overflowing water from the River Parrett. The group filled sandbags and laid wood chippings along a damaged footbridge, which was the only access to people's homes and placed further sandbags around the village hall. The group even rescued family pets, including a tortoise, a dog and some chickens. They also helped a local farmer barracade in a herd of cows to keep them safe.

Dave Bruton, Director at Brington Engineering, said: "Whole families have lost their livelihoods, why should we not go down for a day and help out?"

He added: "The pictures on the news do not even show the half of it – being there really put it into perspective. It's horrendous. The local people were so responsive to us and their morale was amazing."

Ann Cooper also put in calls to Greenham's, a Bristol-based company, who have subsequently donated waterproof clothing and essentials, such as hand sanitiser, to those affected by floodwater and to the Radstock branch of Buildbase, asking for donations. This led her to speak to Dave Palmer, Director of Buildbase nationally, based in Yeovil, who have sent further help to the flooded communities.

Buildbase is now working with suppliers to donate protective clothing, such as chest waders, 200 high visibility waterproof jackets and 10,000 nitrile gloves, as well as provisions, such as wheelbarrows and cleaning materials, to help local volunteers. They have also sent around 1,000 environmentally-friendly sandbags.

Speaking about the work Brington Engineering employees have carried out in Burrowbridge, Ann said: "I'm really proud of our lads for all the work they did that day and I'm proud of myself for making the call and getting Buildbase involved, hopefully, we will have made a difference."

Anyone who would like to help the communities in Somerset who have been affected by the floods, can make a donation to the Somerset Community Foundation who have set up a Just Giving page to help raise money for the flood victims. The Foundation pledges to use the funds raised to provide emergency relief grants to people whose homes have flooded to meet the immediate financial burdens of moving out, pumping and drying and emergency repairs to homes and businesses. The money will also go to help those who face additional financial burdens as a result of the flooding, for example, through loss of earnings, extended daily commutes and school runs and to support local micro-businesses to ensure their survival and swift recovery as an essential part of the local community and economy through grants and, where applicable, loans. It will also offer support counselling and other services to help people cope with the emotional stress caused by the flooding in the short and medium term.

To find out more about the Somerset Community Fund and to make a donation, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Somerset-Community-Found-Flood-Appeal">www.justgiving.com/Somerset-Community-Found-Flood-Appeal