The Daily Mail Christmas Flood Appeal has been set up to help households reeling from the devastating floods throughout December.

With up to 15,000 homes swamped, Christmas was ruined for thousands of people across Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Thousands of generous Mail readers have been touched by the harrowing scenes of homeowners returning to their sodden properties - but much more is needed.

Donations to the emergency appeal can be made on this page, via our partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation (www.cumbriafoundation.org), Community Foundation for Lancashire (www.lancsfloodappeal.org.uk), Community Foundation for Calderdale (www.cffc.co.uk) and Two Ridings Community Foundation (www.trcf.org.uk)

All four are registered charities (CCF no. 1075120), (CFL no. 1068887), (CCFC no. 1002722), (TRCF no. 1084043) and have already been helping families and businesses get back on their feet.

Grants to help with cleaning up, emergency repairs, food, drink, clothing, heating, child care equipment and basic furniture will be made to the vulnerable people who need our help most.

The money is being administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, which has a well-established and effective system for application grant assessment and allocation.

All four charities have experienced staff on the ground, and solid processes and systems in place.

All four Community Foundations will divide donations between themselves according to their respective needs.