THE people of Tavistock and surrounding area are again giving generously following an international disaster — collection tins are being filled and thousands of pounds have been donated to help the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

Oxfam in Tavistock reported that in the few days following the disaster, £500 had been donated by customers bringing cash into the shop. 

Deputy manager of Tavistock Oxfam Pauline Dhunnoo said people had been giving individual donations of up to £50: 'We also have collection tins which people have filled with change. Oxfam is one of the one charities people automatically think of when there is a disaster and everyone has been very generous.'

The ShelterBox charity was in Bedford Square and Morrisons at the weekend, boosting the appeal to send vital supplies to the Caribbean country.

More than £4,800 was raised over the three days that Tavistock Rotary Club collected at Morrison's supermarket, enough to fund ten Shelterboxes.

Club president Wally Lake said: 'The response from the people of Tavistock has been magnificent and we thank everybody for their generous contributions and to Morrison's supermarket for allowing the club to collect on its premises.'

The club is continuing to raise money and anyone wishing to make a donation can send cheques, payable to the Rotary Club of Tavistock, to Peter Baron, the club's treasurer, at 16 Church Lea, Whitchurch, PL19 9PS or drop it into Mayflower Galleries in West Street.

Some 1,700 ShelterBoxes have already been despatched and a further 1,600 are leaving the UK this week, directly for the country's capital, Port au Prince.

Tavistock College students are donating funds raised by selling and releasing biodegradable helium-filled balloons to ShelterBox after holding an emergency meeting to discuss ways in which they could help the victims.

Members of the school's elected senate are busy calling local businesses and primary schools to encourage them to sponsor a balloon, from £1, which will carry a message in French, one of the languages spoken in Haiti: 'Je suis en faveur de l'aide à Haiti', meaning 'I'm for helping Haiti.' Those purchasing a balloon will also be able to write their own thoughts.

Tavistock Chamber of Commerce is donating £100 towards the cost of the helium gas.

If anyone wishes to sponsor a balloon they can contact John Collacott at: [email protected]">[email protected]

A non-uniform day is also being held to boost the total and ShelterBox- shaped biscuits are being sold in the college refectory.

Tavistock Pannier Market traders will be holding a tombola on Saturday from 10.30am. Prizes and support will be much welcomed and the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock will be having a coffee and cake day on the same day from 10am to 2pm.

Spokesman for ShelterBox and former Okehampton Times reporter Tommy Tonkins said there had been so much compassion from the people of West Devon.

'This support is testament to the goodwill and good nature of the people of West Devon,' he said.

'There has been overwhelming support —the response has just been phenomenal from kids donating pocket money to elderly people giving their pensions. People have been so kind and it is so vital because the need in Haiti is massive.'

It is estimated that more than one million people had lost their homes in the earthquake and were in need of emergency shelter.

'This is the biggest commitment of ShelterBoxes the charity has ever made and we are doing everything we can to make sure people get everything they possibly need. We are so grateful for the support of the general public and the volunteers.'

West Devon-based Rapid UK was one of the search and rescue charities who responded to the earthquake in the hope of finding survivors in the rubble.