THE LIVES of some of the victims of the recent typhoon disaster in the Philippines will be made a little more bearable thanks to an initiative by a Tavistock woman and her Filipino friends.

Megan Neal, who lives in Tavistock and works as a nurse in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, was so moved by the pictures of the catastrophe across the other side of the world that she decided to do something about it.

As a nurse she works with fellow care staff at the hospital who are from the Philippines and so decided to join their efforts to help their compatriots.

They are hoping that the public will donate essential goods which will in some small way, bring relief to the millions of people suffering in the Philippines whose lives have been literally 'blown away' by the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan.

They are seeking unwanted clothes, bedding, blankets and toys. Toiletries are also urgently needed especially nappies, wet wipes and baby bottles. Tavistock Methodist Church in Chapel Street is acting as a base for the donated goods.

Megan said: 'I'm a mother and it absolutely broke my heart when I saw the images on television. It just reminds me how lucky we are to live where we do, not having ourselves experienced such suffering and devastation.'

Indeed, her daughter Grace agreed with her mum, and although aged only six, was equally moved and said she would do a sponsored walk at Saltram House in Plympton to raise money. So far this has raised £80.

Megan has also been joined by her friend Amy Eslick in helping with the Tavistock and district appeal.

Megan works with Roly Cawaing from the Philippines, who is a nurse at Derriford Hospital.

He told the Times: 'Fortunately our families are fine because they live in the north but we all have friends who have been affected. The southern part is devastated.

'Millions of people are relying on the donations send to them from outside, they have lost everything. It could take months or years just for them to get back to some sort of normality.

'As Filipinos it is not a nice feeling to see what is happening out there, it's heartbreaking. Working in this country we are truly blessed but being thousands of miles from our country we wanted to do something to help those in the Philippines who are really suffering.'

Their small community in Tavistock is part of the Plymouth Society of Filipinos, who in turn are part of a South West and the larger British society.

In the South West collections are being held in Tavistock, Callington, Plymouth, Launceston and Exeter. The donations are co-ordinated nationally and the first plane load, courtesy of the RAF from an airport in the Midlands was due to fly to the Philippines on Sunday with 107 boxes on board.

If you would like to make a donation please take them to Tavistock Methodist Church in Chapel Street on Mondays to Fridays from 10am to noon.

For further information contact Megan Neal by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01822 481173.