Evacuee Celebrates 59th Birthday at Northampton Flood Shelter

Pictured: Rachel Cleasby celebrates her birthday at a local shelter. Credit: Responder Jan Campbell-Wood

Rachel Cleasby celebrated her 59th birthday under unusual circumstances this week, after being evacuated from her home at Billing Aquadrome due to flooding. Along with her partner Tony Haynes and their rescue dog Polly, Rachel arrived at the emergency shelter at Lings Forum Leisure Centre on Tuesday evening.

REACT deployed a team of volunteer Responders to the area on Tuesday to manage an emergency shelter, set up to support people displaced by floods. After learning it was her birthday, REACT Responder Ifor Lloyd bought a cake as a surprise for Rachel and her partner Tony. After blowing out the candles, Rachel said "I am so grateful for both the birthday gesture and all of the support we've had from the volunteers here." 

Yesterday, REACT deployed a team of responders to Northampton to assist in running an emergency rest centre after the flooding at Billing Aquadrome forced a full evacuation. The situation, which affected over 65 people and more than 22 dogs, required swift coordination between multiple agencies, including British Red Cross, Rapid Relief Team, Northants 4x4 Response, West Northants Council, Northants Partnership for Homing, Lings Forum Leisure Centre and Northamptonshire Police and Fire and Rescue.

REACT provides rapid humanitarian action to help the hard-to-reach and most vulnerable in the wake of a disaster. Our highly-trained volunteer Responders deploy throughout the UK and internationally to support people in urgent need. We work in partnership with local communities to understand the situation and respond quickly to any unmet needs.

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