HEROES of the July floods from the Red Cross have been presented with awards to honour their efforts.

Staff and volunteers from Oxfordshire received framed certificates at a ceremony in Steventon, near Abingdon, in recognition of their achievements in helping those who suffered in the floods.

The organisation's international logistics officer, Mike Goodhand, flew in from its headquarters in Geneva, in Switzerland, to present the certificates in appreciation of the work carried out by Red Cross teams after floodwater affected hundreds of homes.

Janet Kingston, who heads the Oxfordshire Volunteers' Council, said afterwards: "Mr Goodhand's talk reminded us how the Red Cross works in emergency response across the world and around the corner.

"The Red Cross was there at every stage, from helping evacuate residents, particularly elderly people from residential homes, to caring for them at the Kassam Stadium, and then seeing them home after waters receded.

"Every service came into its own, from the fire and emergency support service at the beginning, to the home from hospital service at the end."

David Cook, the organisation's county transport coordinator, based in Abingdon, received certificates on behalf of the team.

Malcolm Gee, of Faringdon, was praised for the work of first aiders.

Gloria Badcock, from Oxford, represented home from hospital service volunteers, and Carol Mackay, of Bicester, was one of the team leaders who co-ordinated care at the evacuation centre set up at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium.

Marian Faulkner, from Abingdon, represented the medical loan service, which provided wheelchairs, commodes and walking aids to evacuees forced out of their homes by flooding.

Mrs Faulkner also accepted an award for the therapeutic care service, which provided a stress-relieving hand and shoulder massage service for evacuees and staff at the stadium.

The Red Cross floods appeal benefited from work by fundraisers, and Margaret Tyrrell, of Banbury, received a certificate for their contribution.

Volunteer Rod Clewley, from Steventon, provided administration and logistics support at the Oxfordshire Red Cross's Abingdon headquarters, and received a certificate on behalf of the emergency support team.