Distress fund hit by rumours

OLDHAM Council has moved to allay residents’ fears over the cash fund set up to assist victims of the Shaw explosion.

Rumours are rife that the Oldham Distress Fund — which stands at well over £200,000 — is not being handed out to all those in need. But council officers are adamant every penny of the fund will be given to those who suffered loss.

But residents who gather at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre say cash isn’t going to the people who need it. Pensioner Jackie Hunter, of Buckley Street, said she felt she was imposing by staying with her daughter-in-law in Royton.

“I own my house, I’ve recently spent £30,000 on it,” she said. I am fully insured and I’m being told I can’t have anything. The money is meant to go to people who are distressed. I’m distressed. There’s going to be an uprising as no one is getting the money they need.”

The Cunninghams, a family of five from Chancery Lane, have complained about their “disgusting” interim payment of £100, which is to tide them all over.

Nicole Cunningham said:”£100 is ridiculous for a family of five. I don’t understand how they can measure the level of distress from a house that is falling down to a house that is not — but not classed as safe to live in. I have three small children distressed. They have no idea what’s going on, we’ve got no toys.”

Some companies that have raised cash for the fund are hanging on to it until it is known exactly how it will be spent.

The council has given interim emergency payments — not necessarily representative of the amounts residents could receive — from the distress fund to those in affected properties.

Trustees of the £230,000 fund, councillors Abdul Jabbar, Jean Stretton and Howard Sykes, meet daily to consider and act upon new applications for help. On Friday the council paid out £24,000 to applicants.

Councillor Jean Stretton said: “We’re working extremely hard to get money to affected residents. There appears to be a myth circulating that anyone who is insured will get nothing from the fund. This is definitely not true.

“We’ve had to advise those who are insured they must be careful not to claim for the same items from insurers and the distress fund, — that could invalidate their insurance. For any losses and hardship not covered they should definitely apply.”


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