Heavy flooding in Sutton, London, has not affected Puttinu Cares Foundation patients staying in apartments in the area while they seek treatment in nearby hospitals.

Heavy rains on Friday meant that the Carshalton Canal in Sutton overflowed and flooded the neighbouring catchment area over the weekend.

“Our apartments are some 10 miles away from where the flooding is,” said Paul Farrugia, who lives in Sutton and coordinates letting the flats for patients temporarily in the UK.

“These floods are only a phenomenon of the past five years – we never used to have them before,” he said.

Mr Farrugia, 70, has been welcoming and housing patients seeking treatment in Britain for the past five years.

“It’s a 24-hour job but I know all the apartments well and I’ve just been round them all, this morning – they’re all safe,” he said.

Puttinu Cares offers support for families of children suffering from cancer. Most patients receive treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Last November, President George Abela also inaugurated Puttinu House: a block of 12 apartments that the foundation makes available for young Maltese cancer patients and their relatives. The project cost some €3 million.

Sutton Council has been working with the Environment Agency, Thames Water and London Transport to help those who are affected by the floods.