There has already been amazing support for the Parish Council / St Mary's church 'Give Gifts to the Philippines' appeal in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan - but more supplies are always welcomed.
The community initiative, launched by Karen White and Judith Bee in November, has seen the church and other venues stacked with generous donations - and some goods are already on their way to the region.
Karen and Judith explained: ?whilst the aid agencies are doing their utmost to provide immediate help, a lot of the money donated is consumed in administration fees and, sadly, corruption is rife.?
"We have had an extraordinary response and are overwhelmed by the generosity of parishioners and others in the area," says Wendy Shone, Buriton's parish clerk.
Schools such as Bedales, Dunhurst, Dunannie and Ditcham Park, and the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are among the donors of items including bicycles, pushchairs, tents and numerous items of clothing, bedding, handbags, cooking utensils, books and toys.
The Buriton initiative aims to offer practical assistance to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan and all goods collected will be shipped out to the region.
Here is a list of items being sought:
- Clothing (adult, child & baby sizes)
- Shoes, sandals & trainers (all sizes)
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Bed linen
- Towels
- Tents
- Torches
- Hairbrushes
- Old bicycles/scooters
- School books
- Children's books
- Crockery
- Cutlery
- Glassware
- Plastic/tin plates & cups
- Kitchen utensils (ie pots & pans, wooden spoons, large bowls)
- Brooms
- Buckets
- Prams, pushchairs, baby slings
- Anything else you feel could be of use
The organisers emphasise: ?Please remember that many people have lost EVERYTHING and all they have are the clothes on their backs. Don't worry if goods are shabby or tired-looking. Anything you want to discard that could be useful will be gratefully received.?
Initially donations could be left in the church, the Five Bells, Tithe Barn Ditcham or Nursted Farm - but in the post-Christmas period the sole venue for drop-offs is the Five Bells.
Alternatively, if you would like the organisers to collect items please arrange this by contacting the Parish Clerk Wendy Shone at buritonparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk or phone her on 01730 268601.
