Woman calls for financial help after storm damage

A woman from Cornwall is calling for financial help for people like her who have been affected by damage in the aftermath of Storm Goretti.

Jill Harsant, 79, who lives in Callestick, near Truro, said about 50 giant leylandii trees on her land had been completely uprooted - as well as many other smaller trees.

She said her insurance broker, Howden Insurance, had told her it could not help until she could prove the trees had damaged outbuildings which she said were hidden beneath dense foliage.

Howden said it had not yet received a claim and it would be guided by the terms of Harsant's policy.

"We're talking about thousands, I haven't got thousands, I need help", said Mrs Harsant.

She said access to much of her smallholding, which is a former nursery, was limited due to large fallen trees, meaning she could not currently get an accurate picture of the extent of the damage.

She added: "They said I can't claim until I know the if the tractor shed or the container or the caravan are damaged."

Mrs Harsant said the giant leylandii which had fallen had also brought down a large number of trees in a Norway spruce plantation.

Howden said in a statement: "We are very sorry to learn of the damage that Storm Goretti caused to Mrs Harsant's property.

"Since Mrs Harsant notified us of the incident, we have remained in close contact to offer support, advice, and practical help.

"As an insurance broker, our advice is guided by the terms set by Mrs Harsant's policy, and our role is to ensure that any claims that are covered by the insurance policy are paid promptly.

"We continue to work diligently with Mrs Harsant to identify the best solution for the damage suffered."

Mrs Harsant said she had reached out to a local tree surgeon to get a quote for clearing the trees.

She said: "Every time an act of god happens and insurers don't cover it, anyone who is suffering from that act of god, they either have to learn to live with it, or borrow the money."

"I may be nearly 80...but I'm a campaigner, I'm a fighter, I'm a survivor, and I'll run a campaign if I have to, to approach the government because it's not our fault, we haven't done anything to cause this," she added.

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