Northern Ireland

Queen offers her sympathy in a letter to those affected by north west floods

The Queen's letter, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of County Derry, Denis Desmond, was hand delivered to the YMCA in Drumahoe.
The Queen's letter, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of County Derry, Denis Desmond, was hand delivered to the YMCA in Drumahoe. The Queen's letter, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of County Derry, Denis Desmond, was hand delivered to the YMCA in Drumahoe.

The Queen has sent a letter offering sympathy and support to victims of last month's flooding in Northern Ireland's north west.

The letter, addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of County Derry, Denis Desmond, was hand delivered to the YMCA in Drumahoe.

It said: "I was saddened to learn of the devastating flooding which has affected County Derry and the surrounding areas.

"Please convey my sympathy to those who have been affected, and my thanks and appreciatation to the volunteers, community workers and members of the emergency services who have been involved in the response." 

Willie Lamrock, general secretary of the YMCA, told BBC Radio Foyle that it would "lift spirits".

he storm left a trail of destruction and more than 120 people had to be rescued after being trapped in cars or homes.

Bridges collapsed, roads gave way and cars were washed away in overflowing rivers during a night when 63% of August's average rainfall fell within nine hours.

Firefighters saved 93 people, with the Coastguard helping dozens of others.

"We got a very special letter at the YMCA, hand delivered by Denis Desmond, CBE," Mr Lamrock said.

"It was a message from Her Majesty The Queen to commiserate with all, in the times of the floods and the stress.

"She also thanked the community, voluntary and the statutory services for all the work that they did. So it was a nice thought to get from Her Majesty."

"It gives us a lift to know that we are on everyone's radar out there and we know we have a lot of support across the country," Mr Lamrock added.

Country music stars including Daniel O'Donnell and Nathan Carter raised an estimated €30,000 for victims of last month’s north-west floods. 

The singers were just two of the stars who took part in the benefit gig for flood victims in Letterkenny in Co Donegal on Sunday.