South Downs raises big funds for the Philippines

Two schools, a hotel and a care home have seen children, staff and local residents come together to organise fundraising events for those who need food and shelter in the Philippines after a devastating storm claimed at least 10,000 lives on November 8.

An emergency mufti day was swiftly organised in response to the desperate needs of the Filipinos at The Towers Convent School in Upper Beeding.

The theme was the colours of the Philippine national flag, which inspired the whole community to raid their wardrobes in search of red, blue and yellow garments.

Pupils instantly sprang into action arranging games, activities, face painting and nail polishing - all held in the gym over lunchtime.

Staff and Sisters had their nails brightly polished or adorned with temporary tattoos or hair braids.

During the morning break a cake sale raised more than £1,000. By the end of the day a grand total of £2,000 had been pulled together.

The pupils at Ashington C of E First School hosted a cake sale on November 19 with the help of parents and staff.

A spokesperson for the primary school said: “We were very concerned about the plight of families in the Philippines and keen to do something to help especially as we have a family with relatives in the Philippines.

“Parents were asked to make cakes and children were invited to make a donation to take a cake home.

“Headteacher Judith James was delighted with the response and very grateful for the kind and generous donations.”

The school raised a total of £316.23 for the appeal.

Coffee and cakes were up for grabs at The Castle Inn Hotel in Bramber on November 23.

Steyning and Henfield Rotary Club alongside the hotel owners, Steve and Mae Mitchell, and The Rotary Club of Shoreham and Southwick, organised a silent auction, a raffle, good food, and a live performance by music act Desperate Dan.

President of Steyning and Henfield Rotary Cub, Denis Cummings, said: “On the day we raised enough donations and gifts that will pay for four shelterboxes to be deployed in The Philippines.

“We are delighted with this result, considering that Steve, the landlord of The Castle Inn Hotel, had only a week to bring together support for the event.”

Mrs Mitchell has family in the Philippines who have been directly affected by the disaster.

The money raised will be used to fund Rotary Shelterboxes that can each support a family of five upwards, and provides heating (with a stove) emergency shelter, a water purification system, a slate and chalks to ensure that children can continue their learning - and all items that ensure the family have water, heat and shelter, blankets and all the basics.

Enough money was raised to fund four of these shelterboxes.

Staff, elderly residents and locals clubbed together at Red Oaks Care Home in Henfield for a coffee morning on November 22 that included Christmas goodies sale, a raffle, tombola, Philippine food tasting and skills auction.

Filipino staff were amongst the team who raised a massive £3,200.62.