On November 15th, my sister Amelia, her husband Gary, and their four-year-old son Gabriel had their world turned upside down when their home in Monmouth, Wales, was devastated by flooding caused by Storm Claudia. In the middle of the night, they were woken by rising water rushing into the house, and the situation became so dangerous so quickly that they had to be rescued and evacuated by boat. By morning, almost everything downstairs was completely destroyed — furniture, cherished personal belongings, kitchen, bathroom, appliances, toys, and even essential utilities like electricity, heating, and gas — leaving their home unsafe and unlivable. Their car was also ruined, making an already impossible situation even harder. Their two cats were thankfully rescued the following day, but all their supplies and comforts were also lost.

Adding to the stress, their insurance is not covering the disaster. Their home is a Grade II–listed cottage, which means any repairs or alterations are likely to be expensive and complex. They are now facing the enormous cost of drying out the house, repairing the structure, and replacing the basic essentials they need to live safely and comfortably again. At the moment, they have no power, no heating, and no clear path forward without help.

With Christmas approaching, it’s an especially difficult time to cope with so much upheaval. Gabriel is handling everything remarkably well, but it’s still a lot for a young child to process.

I’m setting up this GoFundMe because they truly need support to get back on their feet. Any contribution — no matter the size — will go directly toward repairs, essential items, and helping the whole family (including the cats!) regain some stability.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story, please share, and donate if you can. Your kindness will make a real difference.