CARING staff at a Port nursing home have rallied round to help a colleague whose family have been left devastated by the floods in India.

Smitha Prabhakaran, a night shift nurse at Newark Care Home, was distraught after discovering her mother and father-in-law were affected by the horrific deluge in Kerala - the worst the state has seen in 100 years.

The 37-year-old says her in-laws Radha and Mohanan, her husband Binumon's parents, fled their home and will have to start their lives again.

After hearing about the plight of Smitha's loved ones, her work colleagues at the care home decided to help.

They have organised a three-hour sponsored walk of the Greenock Cut on Sunday to raise funds for her family.

Smitha, who lives with her husband and two children Nial, nine and Amelia, four, in Ardmore Road, said: "We were devastated when we found out about the flooding.

"My husband's mum and dad are in their sixties and they couldn't stay in their homes because it's under water.

"At the moment they are staying with another family member but they need help as they have no belongings.

"They will have to start again."

Smitha, who has worked at the home for over 10 years, was so distressed about her family's plight that she confided in her manager Moira Roberts.

Moira said: "Smitha was terribly distressed about what happened to her family.

"I was heartbroken with what she told me.

"The staff at Newark Care Home are so kind and caring.

"The minute I told a few of my colleagues, a Just Giving page was immediately set up and a sponsored walk has been organised."

One of the good samaritans who is helping Smitha and her family is Newark Primary pupil Rebecca Johnstone.

Rebecca, whose mum Nicola works as a laundry assistant at the home, will join the sponsored walk on Sunday, which is her tenth birthday.

She told the Tele: "I'm doing the walk as I want to help people.

"It made me feel sad when I saw what happened on the news."

Margaret McClure, who is the activities co-ordinator at the home, said: "It's horrific to hear about what happened.

"As soon as our manager mentioned Smitha's situation, I got together with the staff and we decided to do this walk.

"We hope to raise as much money as we can to help Smitha's family out."

Silverline, the company which runs the home, said in a statement: "We are delighted to support the Newark team in their fundraising actions and encourage our staff to support this worthy cause."

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund can do so online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/angela-brotherton

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/angela-brotherton