Ever since floods swept across the north-east last week, one group of locals have gone the extra mile to help their neighbours in need.
Two local residents who witnessed the flood devastation at close quarters have joined forces to create the Inverurie and Garioch Flood Support group.
The organisation is currently based at the British Legion hall at the end of Inverurie high street.
The founders of the group, Fiona Cooper, 52, co-ordinator of the Aberdeenshire north food bank and George Petrie, 47, a Total human factors engineer, took action after feeling the council were acting too slowly to help those affected.
Mrs Cooper said: “I met George at the food bank and we were both concerned that nothing was getting done.
“We started trying to think of ideas of how to help and George came up with the idea of starting a Facebook page where everyone could get in touch and get involved.”
Mr Petrie explained how the group had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “We got the Facebook page set up really quickly. People were donating loads of stuff to Tesco, but then Tesco didn’t know what to do with it all, because they had received so much!
“That’s when the Legion got in touch with us, saying we could have the hall and it pretty much went from there.
“We plan to be here as long as people need us, and once we leave, the Facebook page will keep going for support and a point of contact.”
Mrs Cooper added: “While the floods have obviously been devastating, I think it has absolutely brought the community together.
“Especially as I feel the council have been a bit slow to react – not that I think they won’t help – I think they have just been spread so thinly.”
A volunteer at the group, Karen Rodgers, 48, said: “It has been heart-breaking to see how devastated people are, but something like this shows the true spirit of people and brings out the best in folk.”