Rumours quashed over blast payouts

COUNCILLORS have defended the Oldham Distress Fund amid claims donations are going into council coffers.

They insist around a quarter of the £250,000 raised for the fund has already been handed out to Shaw blast victims

Councillor Jean Stretton revealed £100,000 originally came from the local authority.

She said: “Despite what rumour-mongers would have people believe, this distress fund is to address the hardship and distress of those directly affected by the blast.It will not be diverted into council coffers.

“As the situation becomes clearer some of the properties are more seriously affected than first thought and the sums are being revised.”

A number of Shaw residents haven’t been able to make a full application for help because they don’t know what can be retrieved from their homes or haven’t found a permanent new home.

The Chronicle reported on rumours last week which suggested those with home insurance wouldn’t get financial support from the fund.

Trustee of the fund and Shaw councillor Howard Sykes, said: “We are giving people advice so they don’t invalidate their claim.

“Some people have twisted that into they can’t access money from the fund, but that’s absolute rubbish.”


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