Over 200 properties were flooded in Ballater at end December. 80 mobile homes were washed away or badly damaged. 20 businesses were flooded.

In the immediate aftermath, stunned people got on with the terrible work of trying to clear up and, far worse, throw away all their destroyed belongings. As time goes by, however, very many questions will begin to surface. Is the offer from the insurance company realistic? What if I was underinsured - or worse still, not insured at all? How do I dry out my house if I can't afford the electricity? Where can I stay while all this is happening? How do I manage if my job is lost from one of the affected businesses or my hours are reduced? How do I cope if my income relies on tourism which will be badly affected? How do I manage the debts I can envisage mounting up? What benefits may I be entitled to?

All these questions and very many more can be answered by our advice bureau, but we must raise funds so we can spend the required time with our clients.