FLOOD victims in York are still suffering 'unimaginable' stress and anxiety, with some losing their jobs and homes and many left with mental health problems.

Jan Garrill, the head of the organisation helping residents to re-build their lives, revealed the long-term impact of the Boxing Day disaster at an event yesterday to thank donors who gave to the £1.3 million York Flood Appeal.

"Grants can replace essentials but returning home is just the start of recovery for many residents,"said Ms Garrill, chief executive of the Two Ridings Community Foundation. "We have seen families living apart, people losing their jobs and even made homeless."

Ross Done, 52, told of the devastating impact when his basement flat in Huntington Road was flooded to a depth of five feet by water from the River Foss on Boxing Day, and said he could not have coped without the help from the appeal.

"I was away in Scotland at the time so I couldn't get in to get anything out, and so I lost everything," he said. "I lost my life - even my passport, my birth certificate, all the documentation you don't realise you need until you lose it. It was devastating."

He said he became homeless and had to go into emergency accommodation, although he had since been given a flat by the council in Fossway.

He had let his insurance lapse after suffering a stroke last year and becoming unemployed, and couldn't afford to replace anything.

"Without the fund I don't know where I would be. It's been such a massive help."

Patricia Ruane, who was ill in bed in her ground flood flat in Rosemary Court when it was flooded, said the experience stayed with victims a long time and it was lucky no one died. "I would be lost without help from the fund, which means I am able to buy household essentials for my new flat."

Ms Garrill said the generosity of donors had made an enormous difference in helping residents to rebuild their lives.

Dame Fiona Kendrick, chief executive of Nestle UK, said it donated £100,000 to the appeal because it cared deeply about the communities it which it worked, and many Nestlé employees knew of someone affected by the floods.

"Our aim was to help get people affected to get back on their feet and re-build their lives and their homes."

Other donors present included representatives of Rotary Clubs, who donated £30,000, and Freemasons, who gave £25,000.

Colin Stroud, chair of the York Disaster Fund, said 250 grants totalling £440,000 had been given out so far to 175 households, so there were still funds available to which people could apply. To apply, go to www.trcf.org.uk.