A JAPANESE resident of Gunnislake this week said a huge thank you to those who have so generously supported fundraising events to help people affected by the devasting earthquake and tsunami in her homeland last month.

Tamami Benjamin last week sent a cheque for £3,573.27 — 478,175 Japanese yen — to Dr Kuwayama at the Tohuku International Clinic.

She raised the money through a social evening and sales at Milton Abbot, an event staged by her husband Adam at Plymouth University, donations and fundraising at Milton Abbot Under 5s and at Hotel Endsleigh.

Tamami said she was very grateful to the Tavistock branch of HSBC bank, whose staff had been very helpful and did not charge commission to send the money to Japan.

Tamami said: 'Dr Kuwayama was very pleased that we decided to support his clinic and asked me to send everyone in the community his deepest gratitude.  

'He said life over there continues to be very tough — so far over 30 people have died already in the evacuation centres after having survived the earthquake and tsunami, which is awful — many of them were elderly people who have lost their houses and/or their family, but his clinic continues to stay open 24 hours a day for the survivors.'

Tamami is continuing to fundraise, and is planning a charity sushi and onigiri (rice balls) shop at the Mavis community shop in Milton Abbot after Easter. This will probably take place on Mondays.

She added: 'We have some remaining jumbles from the last sale so we are doing another jumble sale and afternoon tea at Milton Abbot Village Hall on May 7 — Saturday — between 2.30pm and 5pm.  The profit is going to Japan and Milton Abbot Under 5s.'