MORE than 100 youngsters who came to the aid of York’s flood victims last winter have been treated to a special fun day at York Maze.

Owner Tom Pearcy offered to host the open day at the maize maze at Elvington to give recognition to the children’s efforts after the Ouse and Foss rivers burst their banks on Boxing Day.

Tony Castle, of Heslington, who himself helped flood victims, organised for the Lord Mayor, Cllr Dave Taylor, to attend the event to thank the children.

He said there had been medals and praise for many of the adults who made extraordinary contributions, but until now the children’s help had not been properly recognised.

He said: “There were lots of children who got stuck in to help and we wanted to do something special to thank them.

“Children who were involved in the clean-up operation missed spending time over the Christmas holidays with their parents whilst they helped out.”

He said Copmanthorpe Scouts set up a soup and food hub in Huntington Road, and stood out in the cold until midnight on some nights, Emma Davis and her daughter organised and delivered a food and cleaning pack to every affected home, and Parish Edge worked solidly for nine days of his holiday in the Huntington Road catering van.

Children from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in York had also been at the forefront of cleaning houses and gardens and delivering aid.

Tony also praised the maze, revealing that Mr Pearcy had also helped by providing storage facilities when a lorryload of aid arrived from Norfolk.

One of those attending, Sam Woodall, 15, said he helped to clean flooded houses and delivered aid such as food. “The people we helped were really nice and thanked us,” he said.

Zach Kimberling, 12, said he helped his mother with donations at her church. “We got requests for what aid was needed and would take it to them. We went to one street where quite a few houses had been flooded.

“One man was upset but very grateful for the support. Its nice that the children are recognised for helping. We can do as much as an adult - sometimes more as we can relate to the children who need help.”