A CHARITY which helped families in York affected by flooding has won a national award.

York Community Furniture Store was named Reuse Organisation of the Year in the Furniture Reuse Network's annual awards, with more than 200 organisations represented at the ceremony.

The Community Furniture Store has branches in James Street in York, Selby and Scarborough, and was nominated for its work coordinating furniture for those displaced or rehomed in York, as well as managing furniture donated to the people of York from across the country.

Ruth Batty, chief officer of the charity, said: "When news of the floods began to break, we knew that we’d be in the perfect position to offer assistance to households affected, but we had no idea of the scale of what would be needed – hundreds of people effectively rendered homeless within a 24 hour period as the waters rose,” comments.

"As the scale of the emergency became clear, we worked closely with others providing relief, including Two Ridings Community Foundation, local volunteers and City of York Council, to focus our efforts, both in terms of co-ordinating and housing the huge influx of furniture donations, and ensuring that we could get help out into the community as quickly as possible."

Ruth said she was very proud of the team, and the award recognised the hard work they put in.

To donate or to find out more go to communityfurniturestore.co.uk or phone 01904 426444.