A GOUROCK woman has thanked the people of Inverclyde for helping raise thousands of pounds so she can rescue her mum from a disaster zone.

Barbara Van Pay launched a fundraising campaign to come to the aid of 75-year-old Judy, who has been left homeless after her property was destroyed by Hurricane Michael.

The human resources consultant is now out in Florida with her husband Tony to try to help rebuild her mum and brother's lives, both of whom suffering from poor health.

She told the Tele about the devastation she found on her arrival in Panama City Beach, which has been completely flattened by the 155 mph winds which struck last month.

So far she has raised nearly £4,000 but says her family are 'starting from scratch'.

Barbara, 53, from Ashton Road, said: "I can't thank the people of Inverclyde enough, they have been so, so generous to us after the story in the Telegraph.

"I don't know what we would do without this help. I am looking at having to get my mum all new furniture and seeing if the house can be saved.

"The scenes are unbelievable. You arrive in the state and everything is fine, then one hour down the road, a whole city has been wiped out. It looks like it has been bombed.

"We have been trying to get medicine for my brother Dan, who suffers from a mental health illness. But the hospitals are gone. Luckily there are medical tents up now.

"I can't believe this is is happening in modern day America."

The family are continuing to fundraise as they face an epic task rebuilding Judy's life.

Barbara added: "She is in a daze and my brother needs help as well. It is worse than I could have possibly imagined."

The Tele told how Barbara waited days to hear from her mum after Hurricane Michael hit.

Thousands of miles away in Gourock, Barbara hung on the phone to her mum hoping to give her life-saving advice.

But she was suddenly cut off and didn't know for two days whether her mum and brother were alive or what had happened to them.

She had to wait another two weeks before she was able to fly out to the state of Florida to come to the rescue of her mum, a supermarket assistant who has cared for her son Dan.

Barbara has been overwhelmed with the support locally, as Gourock Golf Club organises a fundraiser.