A CHARITY food stall in West Devon has raised more than £1,200 to support victims of this year's horrifying earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Tamami Benjamin of Gunnislake has been running her sushi shop at the Mavis community shop in Milton Abbot since the spring and she will be hard at work again after the Christmas holidays.

Tamami said: 'I just finished counting all the money raised at the sushi shop since May, plus some kind donations, and we have ?1,261.49 in the pot!

'Big thank you for those people who have been regularly and occasionally coming to buy sushi on Wednesdays and those people who have been supporting me in lots of different ways to continue this charity.  

'I am already very grateful for all the support and help I have received — my next goal is to raise £2,000 so that I can send the money once again without any bank charges. Another £738.51 to go!'

Tamami said although things were moving forward slowly in the affected area of Japan, psychological care for the survivors, especially for those children who had lost their parents, house and school and everything they possessed would be a long term challenge.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, thanks to the generosity of West Devon residents, Tamami was able to send more than £3,500 directly to Dr Kuwayama at the Tohuku International Clinic, who is helping to care for survivors.

'Dr Kuwayama continues to be 100% there for those people with such deep understanding and insight of what needs to be done,' said Tamami, who has been reading his blog everyday. 

'In total we have raised £4,834.76 so far — £3573.27 already being sent in April — and thank you everyone very  much once again for your continuous and kind support, said Tamami, who also thanked Romily and Justine of Mavis for allowing her to run the sushi shop and for being so supportive.

l The sushi shop at Mavis in Milton Abbot will re-open on Wednesday, January 11. Anyone interested in providing sushi catering for a special event should contact Tamami Benjamin at [email protected]">[email protected]