The Portch Household - A home destroyed by Flooding

Hi Everyone - it's Snap Fitness Melksham here!

We are absolutely devastated by the local flooding and have seen the community of Melksham effected on such a large scale, from local businesses, to families we work with and also close friends.

However, there is a particular family that we would really like to support in this time - The Portch Family. Most of you will know our lovely Personal Trainer Jess for all the hard work she does in the gym, she has been with us from day one and is so passionate about her job helping people achieve their fitness goals.

Unfortunately, in the early hours of Monday morning, Jess, her mum Adele, and their beautiful lab Baxter, were alerted to the early signs of flooding at their home which happens to be opposite the gym. Their gorgeous home backs onto the River Avon, which we all know could not cope with the volume of water after Storm Bert, which meant it broke its banks and flooded the surrounding areas. By 7am they had nearly a foot of water outside their house, and by 11am they had 2 foot of water inside their home, which only continued to rise as the day went on.

Despite best efforts using pumps to remove water, the sheer volume coming in meant that it started flowing through the property and no attempt to keep it out would have helped, and with the local emergency services inundated with emergency calls, The Portch Family were left to fend for themselves for hours before the road was closed. The speed of rising water levels meant Jess and Adele had to act fast to recover their essentials but have also now lost all their other belongings to the flood water. Bedroom and living room furniture, coffee tables, appliances and personal items all taken by the water, leaving them with nowhere to safely stay and no option but to leave the premises. They lost all electrics and plumbing in the house, and their cars were stranded within the water too – now write offs.

Despite this Jess and Adele stayed in good spirit and used the gym as refuge for a cup of tea when they needed - we're so glad we could support them on the day. But they are now having to completely gut and rebuild their home, replacing majority of their belonging. Not only this but as Jess is a Personal Trainer with us here at Melksham, she currently is unable to work as she is staying outside of Melksham with family friends, and with no car either, cannot commute to work. The same applies to Adele who is prioritising recovering her home over work in these times.

These floods have completely flipped Jess and Adele's world upside down, leaving them homeless, unable to work and effecting their livelihood. Baxter too is missing his bed and toys and is unsettled by the change. We are well aware that so many people have been affected by the flooding, but this is close to our hearts and we’d love your support. If you can donate, please do. Let’s help Jess and her family rebuild together.

Thank you in advance to anyone who donates - here at Snap Melksham we will be extremely grateful, and Jess, Adele and Baxter thank you too :)