Sue Duncan, the "Gran with a Van", runs the charity Flood Aid UK charity

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has told how she is determined to carry on travelling hundreds of miles across the country to help people who have lost everything.

Sue Duncan with Charlene Munro and her son Cam'ron. Photo: London Evening Standard

Sue Duncan, the self-styled “Gran with a Van”, has devoted her life to being ready to help victims with her charity Flood Aid UK when disaster strikes.

The 74-year-old widow has travelled as far north as the Isle of Skye and as far south as Cornwall from her home in Leiston to offer essentials at a time of crisis.

But while she is particularly on the lookout to help flood victims – having lost everything herself in a flood at her home more than 40 years ago – she also went to the aid of a family caught up in the London riots in the summer.

After hearing about the plight of Charlene Munro and her son Cam’ron, whose home was destroyed by fire as rioters torched a neighbouring shop in Croydon, south London, Mrs Duncan drove 150 miles to deliver beds, a sofa, washing machine, oven, wardrobes, a television, toys, blankets, sheets and towels to their new council flat.

“I had rung the police and the council to ask if there was anybody I could help, but I hadn’t had an answer, so I rang the newspaper there (the Evening Standard),” he said.

“They called me back and said there was a mother and young child who had nothing left. We had just done a house clearance so I said I had all these things if she needed them. It was nice to be able to help and to go back and see them again in the new place.”

Mrs Duncan, who is twice widowed and has two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, has lived in Leiston since 1989, and worked as a builder, decorator, plumber and lorry driver among other jobs.

She started Flood Aid UK in 2004 and has delivered essential goods to many flood-hit families, including in Gloucestershire in 2007 and in Cornwall last year. She has continued to make her mercy trips despite suffering a heart attack three years ago, from which she has fully recovered.

Mrs Duncan, who drives a 15-year-old Citroen Dispatch van, said: “I check for flood alerts on my computer and then I will ring the local council and ask if anyone needs help. I’ll take my van or I’ll hire a lorry if I need it.”

She said she was inspired to start the charity after a devastating flood at the home she shared with her young daughter in Chingford Mount, north east London, in 1970.

“It devastated me. Everything had gone, photographs and letters from my first husband. It meant I could relate to people who had lost everything,” she said.

“It made me want to help others – and I haven’t got much else to do other than sit around and look at the four walls. It’s much nicer to help people.

“Sometimes people will give me money for diesel and I get some money for house clearances but the rest is out of my own pocket. But just the look on people’s faces when you help them, that’s plenty of reward.”

Miss Munro, 30, said: “If I wasn’t for Sue I wouldn’t have anything. She really didn’t have to drive all that way, all by herself and I really appreciate it. She is amazing.”

Mrs Duncan obtains unwanted items from house clearances and donations - she has collection boxes in Campsea Ashe and Saxmundham – and keeps them in a warehouse in Aldringham, ready to be delivered.

She calls upon a handful of volunteer to carry out her work but is currently looking for more help. If anyone is able to help, or wants to donate items, Mrs Duncan can be contacted on 07754 723319.

She is also holding a fundraising fair for Flood Aid UK at Leiston Community Centre on Saturday, December 10 between 10am and 2pm.