MP praise for brave spirit of flood victims and helpers

Speaking after visiting the Kassam Stadium reception centre late Sunday evening Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “I was moved by the fortitude and good spirits of the elderly people I spoke with who had been brought from Abingdon to the Kassam Stadium evacuation centre. Considering all they have been through in a very long day, they are remarkably cheerful, though tired. “John Kelly and the County Emergency Planning team, Social Services, the St John’s Ambulance and Red Cross, and the volunteers serving food and drink are, with the Emergency Services, doing a first rate job and deserve the highest praise. “I went round all the places vulnerable to flooding in my constituency at 7.30 am and again at 7.30 pm on Sunday. The big worry is what happens if the Thames keeps on rising. “I will speak out on the local situation in Parliament tomorrow” (Monday). “I will praise the work of all those helping the flood victims, and press for government help with the costs, as well as making sure all the lessons from these floods are learnt, and acted on.”