Help for typhoon victims

Annie, 43, went along to meet the skiffle band from the town’s RAF Association branch who were raising money for the Philippine typhoon appeal.

Their performance of some two hours in the London Road precinct last Saturday brought in a much better than expected £967.13.

Support worker Annie said: “I’m very thankful to the people here for helping the Filippino people in the Philippines.

“This is a big help for them because of the typhoon.”

Annie, of Aldwick Road, managed to speak to her relatives in Bulacan, near the capital Manila, since Typhoon Haiyan struck last week.

They live hundreds of miles from the site of greatest devastation but she said the fear which the typhoon had caused had spread throughout her country.

“They are very scared because of maybe another typhoon will come. That’s why they are preparing another project in case there’s a typhoon or an earthquake,” she said.

She said she planned to raise money for her fellow Filippinos. One way was to have ‘Support the Philippines’ T-shirts printed.

She was among the groups of spectators who watched the skiffle band bring the unique brand of music alive.

David Hewings, said the total they raised far exceeded their hopes of about £300.

“We really did appreciate the generosity of the people who donated, young 
and old, in giving so much.

“It showed just what stuff the ordinary folk of the country are made of when it comes to reacting to a crisis, even if it is for an event on the other side of the world and for people they do not know.”

The band regularly plays for charities throughout the year.