A LOCAL publisher shares excitement after receiving a High Sheriff Award and King’s Garden party Invitation.

Suzy Mills, publisher of The Monnow Voice, The Ross Voice, and The Chepstow and Forest Voice, as well as The Property Drop is going to be presented with a prestigious High Sheriff Award on March 12 at a ceremony following her continued efforts in helping coordinate the quick approach of starting a group called Monmouth.

Monmouth Aid was set up after Storm Claudia flooded businesses and homes last November. Suzy, her friends and volunteers of the Monmouth community spent the day helping with the town clean-up. After seeing the detrimental damage, she set up Monmouth Aid as a platform which offered critical advice and assistance.

The local publisher wanted to stress the recognition reflected the work not only of her own but of many other local people, businesses and partner organisations who helped when the flood water swept through the town.

“This was never about one person,” said Suzy. “I simply helped organise and connect the incredible volunteers, businesses and partners who showed up when our community needed it most.”

The platform which was set up helped navigate the community through a challenging time, some not knowing how to stay safe with flood-watered homes, where to get necessities or even just to get some advice. Monmouth Aid became a pivotal source for the community.

The beauty of Monmouth town wanted to help those who were affected in the floods but didn’t know where to ask. The platform quickly provided a clear focal point for offers of assistance and requests for help.

At the same time Suzy also took over the Facebook group Monmouth Mutual Aid and Assistance, which helped bring structure and coordination to the already fast-growing community response.

These platforms became a crucial point of access to: coordinate volunteers across Monmouth and the surrounding villages, match offers of help with households in need, source and distribute essential household items, connect residents with practical support quickly and provide ongoing signposting as recovery continues.

Suzy has shed light on some key areas of community support, including thanking Glyn Williams and Lions International, who managed to secure £6,500 within a week to purchase brand new fridge freezers, washing machines and other essential household goods for affected families.

Another Monmouth-based charity contributed £7,000 following initial contact from Richard Roden, funding which is continuing to support residents who are moving back into their homes and who needed to replace vital items.

More funding included the raffle of an 80-inch television and a fashion show which was hosted by Bar 125 and Harts of Monmouth which also raised more funds, 90 per cent of these funds spent on replacement household items have been directed to Monmouth-based businesses.

Monmouth Aid is still continuing to support residents across the area and is in the process of applying for Charitable Incorporated Organisation status, enabling the initiative of supporting Monmouth and surrounding villages in future emergencies.

“What we saw during the floods was community as its absolute best – and the work continues,” added Suzy.