Tag: Tesco Bank

Danger to Life: RED weather warning

Warning of unprecedented weather impacts

UPDATE at 1pm: BRECHIN TO BE EVACUATED

Alerts and Warnings as at 13:00 – check floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates for latest situation 

  • 12 regional Flood Alerts
  • 6 localised Flood Warnings

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have begun issuing localised Flood Warnings as Storm Babet approaches.

Rain is already moving across the country, with flooding impacts expected to start this afternoon and into the early evening. The heaviest and most prolonged rainfall is expected over Aberdeen City, Dundee & Angus, Tayside, Aberdeenshire and Caithness & Sutherland, where some exceptional levels are forecast over the next 24 hours. 

Extensive river and surface water flooding is expected, with widespread impacts to transport and infrastructure. There is a risk of more significant community scale property flooding – and there will be danger to life. 

Other parts of Scotland are also at risk of flooding as rivers respond and drainage systems become overwhelmed. The risk of river flooding is exacerbated by the fact that many catchments are already saturated following recent heavy rainfall events. There is also concern that surface water flooding may be made worse by debris blocking drainage and culverts as a result of the high winds.

An additional band of rain is forecast to impact the east of the country on Saturday, which will prolong the event and keep rivers high. It is important people keep up to date by following weather information from the Met Office and flooding advice from SEPA.

Expert staff in SEPA’s flooding team are working round the clock to check forecasts and models, update Flood Alerts, issue Food Warnings and ensure that partners and responder agencies have the latest information. 

Pascal Lardet, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said: “There is exceptional rainfall forecast for parts of Scotland over the next 24 hours, and this will lead to significant flooding from both surface water and rivers.

“Regional Flood Alerts were issued over the last two days to provide early awareness, and localised Flood Warnings started to be issued this morning. More will be issued across the day, so I do encourage people to check our Flood Updates for all the latest information. You can also follow @SEPAFlood on X. However, it is important to stress that not all areas that could be affected have Flood Warning schemes, so please do take a Flood Alert in your area as advance notice that you could be affected. 

“Follow the advice of the emergency services and take action now to protect yourself and your property. Hazards can be hidden, so please don’t walk or drive into flood water. Remember that not only is flood water likely to be dirty, 30 cm of fast flowing water can move an average family sized car, and just 15 cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet.” 

SEPA continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7. As well as live information at Flood Updates, people can check the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead. 

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) last night after the highest level Red Weather Warning was issued for the North East of Scotland.

Attended by resilience partners, Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and emergency services, the meeting set out the significant action being taken to protect the public and mitigate the severe disruption expected over the next few days.

This includes multi-agency resilience arrangements being stood up across the country to co-ordinate the on-the-ground response and support anyone affected by flooding and severe weather.

The Red Warning has been issued by the Met Office for parts of Angus and South Aberdeenshire, valid between Thursday evening (6pm) and Friday afternoon (12pm).

People are urged to not to travel and to stay at home in the affected areas with ‘exceptional’ levels of rain likely to result in significant disruption and danger to life. 

There is a further Amber Warning for rain covering parts of Stirling, Perthshire, Aviemore, Moray, Angus, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City from Thursday morning (0600) until Friday evening (1800). In these Amber areas it is being advised people should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

In addition, an Amber Warning for wind was issued this morning for eastern Angus and eastern Aberdeenshire, valid between 1000 and 1800 on Thursday.

Ms Robison said: “Red Warnings are rarely issued by the Met Office and this reflects how serious the impacts will be from the exceptional weather we can expect – particularly in the North East of Scotland in the next two days. 

“The strong message is that if you are in the parts of Angus and South Aberdeenshire affected – please stay at home and do not travel.

“Other parts of Scotland are also at risk of flooding as rivers respond and drainage systems become overwhelmed. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that many catchments are already saturated following last week’s heavy rainfall and flooding.

“No one should take the risks for granted and I would urge everyone in the country to prepare where necessary, heed the travel warnings issued by Police Scotland and take extreme care around fast-flowing water.

“Regional resilience partnerships have been activated and the Scottish Government is working very closely with them and with all partner agencies to ensure that all possible preparations are made and that everyone has full and immediate access to the most up-to-date information.

“I am grateful for the efforts of partners and volunteers in making preparations to help the public stay safe.

“Anyone seeking live updates should follow these partner organisations on social media, and can also consult the Ready Scotland website for general advice on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from severe weather emergencies.”

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “Our advice is to avoid any form of travel in those areas covered by the red weather warning.

“Driving conditions are expected to be extremely dangerous with disruption and significant delays during this period.

“In those areas covered by amber warnings for rain and wind, we would urge drivers, particularly those of high-sided vehicles, to consider if their journeys are essential or if they could be delayed until conditions improve.

“Don’t ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety.”

Pascal Lardet, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said: “Scotland has already experienced a significant flood event this month, which communities are still recovering from, and some of the rainfall totals forecast for this week are higher than experienced over that weekend – albeit in some different areas.  

“We’re expecting extensive river and surface water flooding in affected areas, with widespread impacts to transport and infrastructure. There is a risk of more significant community scale property flooding – and there will be danger to life. 

“Regional Flood Alerts have already been issued, and localised Flood Warnings will be issued over the next few days as rivers respond. However, it is important to note that not all areas that could be affected have Flood Warning schemes, so please do take a Flood Alert in your area as advance notice that you could be affected. 

“Take action now to protect yourself and your property. Hazards can be hidden, so please don’t walk or drive into flood water. Remember that not only is flood water likely to be dirty, 30 cm of fast flowing water can move an average family sized car, and just 15 cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet.”

Dave Thompson, Director of Claims at Tesco Bank, comments: “Parts of the UK and Ireland will be bracing for flooding with Storm Babet expected to bring heavy rain.

“For those who live in areas with an immediate risk of flooding, it is essential households prepare as much as possible for downpours. For example, ensure electrics and electrical appliances are disconnected and gas and water supplies are switched off.

“If your property is flooded, do not switch any of your electrical supplies back on until the flooding is over and they have been checked by a professional.

“Floodwater can also ruin more important and valuable items in your home, so make sure documents such as passports or more cherished items are sealed in plastic wallets and moved upstairs or to a safe place in your property. Then you can think about moving furniture and soft furnishings to a safer place.

“Water can also carry your furniture about your home and cause even more damage, so for heavier items it’s worth thinking about weighing down or securing all the pieces that are too heavy for you to move.

“Having an emergency flood survival kit could also help keep you and your family safe and warm should a flood occur. In your kit, you may want to include first aid equipment, bottled water, food, a torch (in case you lose power), an emergency contacts sheet, prescribed medication, blankets, clothing, insurance documents and money. If you have infants or elderly people in your household, you should also pack any special items they may need.”

Tesco Bank donates hundreds of Chromebook laptops to charities

Hundreds of vulnerable people will benefit from free Chromebooks, donated by Tesco Bank to local charities across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Around 400 refurbished Chromebooks will be given to charities which support vulnerable groups including refugees, low-income households and school pupils. Recipients include Tesco Bank’s recently announced charity partner, The Trussell Trust.

One of the other charities to benefit from the donated equipment is Dnipro Kids in Edinburgh , a charity which is supporting children who have arrived in the UK from an orphanage in Dnipro, Ukraine.

40 Chromebooks have been donated to give the children the opportunity to get back on track with schoolwork, and for them and their orphanage mothers to learn English and keep in touch with friends back home.

Earlier this year Tesco Bank announced The Trussell Trust as one of two new charity partners.  The Trussell Trust, which is campaigning for change to end the need for food banks in the UK, has accepted a donation of 20 Chromebooks.  These will support the Trussell Trust’s work to build relationships with people experiencing financial hardship. 

Lynne Rennie-Smith, Director of Colleague Experience at Tesco Bank, said; “Tesco Bank has a proud record of supporting the communities in which we operate. 

“I’m delighted we’re donating these Chromebooks to local charities who tell us they will help vulnerable groups to build confidence, learn new skills, and stay connected.”

Jade Lewsey, Corporate Partnerships Manager, at Trussell Trust, said; “The Trussell Trust Participation team builds relationships with people experiencing financial hardship, and works with them as partners in our movement to end the need for food banks. Our work includes people from lots of different backgrounds, ages and locations.

“Some members use mobile phones to attend meetings and read business materials, as they don’t have access to, or cannot afford other tech. The Chromebooks donated by Tesco Bank will help create a better experience and reduce connectivity barriers for our partners and support their work across a number of different Trussell Trust programmes.”

Other organisations to receive donations include Glasgow Ukrainian Hub, Shawlands Academy in Glasgow and Spring Gardens Primary in Newcastle. Each of the charities to receive a donation of Chromebooks was suggested by Tesco Bank colleagues. Additional charities will be selected shortly.

As well as supporting local charities including partner charities Maggie’s and the Trussell Trust, Tesco Bank is proud to utilise its ATM network to support a number of national causes including the NSPCC, The British Heart Foundation and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Tesco Bank has offered customers the opportunity to make charitable donations of up to £300 through its ATMs since 2012, raising over £750,000 for good causes.

Tesco Bank supports local communities with new charity partnerships

Tesco Bank has announced two new major charity partnerships with The Trussell Trust and cancer support charity, Maggie’s.

The charities were voted for by Tesco Bank colleagues who were keen to focus their latest charity partnerships on supporting local communities as well as health and social causes. Colleagues are now looking forward to raising much-needed funds and volunteering across the UK for their chosen charities.

This latest announcement comes after Tesco Bank colleagues raised £245,000 for The People’s Kitchen, The Beatson, and LifeCare Edinburgh following a successful partnership with the charities.   

Funds raised by Tesco Bank will help Maggie’s to continue providing free support online and in centres to people with cancer as well as their family and friends across the UK, and the Trussell Trust provide emergency food and support to people living in poverty.

Lynne Rennie-Smith, Director of Colleague Experience at Tesco Bank,said; “It’s important to recognise the life-saving work of charities such as The Trussell Trust and Maggie’s. Tesco Bank has a proud record of supporting the communities in which we operate, and I’m delighted these charities will benefit from our colleagues’ passion for fundraising for worthy causes.

“Thanks to these important partnerships, our colleagues are inspired to continue making a tangible difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable within our communities.” 

Sophie Carre, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Trussell Trust, said; “We are hugely grateful to Tesco Bank for choosing the Trussell Trust as one of their new charity partners. This partnership will help to support thousands of people facing financial hardship across the UK as we work to achieve our vision to end the need for emergency food in the UK.

“As the nation faces a rapid rise in the cost of living, too many families on the very lowest incomes are being forced to the doors of food banks to get by. No one should be unable to afford the essentials – and while we work to tackle the reasons why people don’t have enough money in their pockets, we hugely value the support of partnerships like this to ensure food banks are able to support people who are facing hunger right now.”

Sharon O’Loan, Fundraising Director at Maggie’s, said; “We are delighted that Tesco Bank has chosen Maggie’s as one of their new charity partners.  Maggie’s support has never been more needed, as the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer treatment continues to be felt and the cost of living crisis becomes overwhelming for many people with cancer.

“The funds raised through this partnership will help us provide free support and information on everything from treatment options, psychological advice and benefits advice to thousands of people with cancer and their families across the UK.  

“We’re excited about our new partnership with Tesco Bank and everything we’ll achieve together.” 

As well as supporting Maggie’s and the Trussell Trust Tesco Bank is proud to utilise its ATM network to support a number of national causes including the NSPCC, The British Heart Foundation and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Tesco Bank has offered customers the opportunity to make charitable donations of up to £300 through its network since 2012 and has since raised over £750,000 for good causes.

The Yard is Tesco Bank local charity of the Year

YardLocal children’s charity The Yard is one of three childrens’ projects that will be supported by Tesco Bank over the coming year.

Tesco Bank ‘colleagues’ from each of the three Bank’s three regions choose a local children’s charity to support, and this year the lucky recipients will be:

The Yard (Edinburgh)

The_Yard_yellow_218x200

The Yard is a playground for children with physical disabilities or learning difficulties. It gives children space to explore, join in and make friends – things that they can be excluded from in other environments.

The large outdoor playground is a perfect place to build dens, climb trees and charge around on one of their specially adapted bikes and trikes. Indoors there is also room to paint, bake, draw, smile, chat and be with others or be alone in the calming sensory room.

The Yard’s specialist Playworkers look to encourage children and young people to explore and be themselves, promote risk and challenge to help children overcome barriers to inclusion, and nurture natural curiosity.

HOPE For Autism (North Lanarkshire)

Hope_for_Autism_w_150x100HOPE for Autism is a charity set up by parents who didn’t feel their children’s needs were being met. They have a great understanding of what is required to support the whole family, as they have been through it themselves.

HOPE for Autism currently offers services to families affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including evening groups for children and young people, parents’ group meetings and services for carers, such as one-to-one and group support, free training and social nights.

Grace House (Sunderland)

GraceHouselogoGrace House is a purpose-built children and young person facility in Sunderland which will offer short break and respite care services for children and young people with complex disabilities, health needs and life limiting conditions.

They are presently planning to increase the number of their en-suite bedrooms to eight before their planned opening in May 2015 which will allow them to have up to eight children visiting at any one time. Eight bedrooms will allow them to help between 250-300 children every year.

Congratulations to you all!