Typhoon appeal raises €3,775

Members of the Filipino community and other volunteers in Malahide raised over €3,000 last weekend in a special typhoon appeal held by Oxfam Ireland in Malahide village.
A total of €3,775.40 was raised by the local residents, in an effort to raise vital funds for the victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines.
The community effort was helped along by Oxfam’s Malahide-based store. The charity is reaching out to survivors of typhoon Haiyan by delivering water, basic sanitation, tents and tarpaulins for emergency shelter to the worst affected areas.
The aid agency is also focusing on supporting people who rely on farming and fishing for their livelihoods and getting markets up and running so that food is available locally.
Following the successful appeal in the local village, Wendy Behan from the Malahide Oxfam store said the level of support from the people in Malahide was “absolutely incredible” with children donating coins from their pocket money, to adults donating €50 notes.
Wendy helped organise the collection alongside Imelda Retardo of the local Filipino community.
“There is a strong Filipino community in Malahide and they are delighted at the solidarity other local people have been giving them at this very difficult time,” said Wendy.
“Some of those shaking buckets in the village have lost family members and are worried about their family and friends back home. Seeing the response of people in Malahide in action has brought hope in tough times.”
Wendy says there is a strong connection between the Philipines and Ireland and many of those donating to the collection spoke of the great care their own families had received from Filipino staff in hospitals and nursing homes.
“The scale of the natural disaster has been horrific and people in Malahide showed their willingness to support the survivors. People in Malahide are giving what they can and every donation we receive will help us to reach more of the survivors with vital emergency supplies such as water, shelter and sanitation.”
Wendy says the fundraising team more than exceeded their target, which she described as amazing given the difficult economic times people are experiencing.
“This money has gone directly into our Philippines typhoon appeal fund and will be put to work straight away, helping to provide emergency shelter, safe water supplies and sanitation facilities such as toilets, along with helping to repair fractured water supplies. But we still need to raise more funds in order to reach the worst affected communities.”
Oxfam Ireland are appealing to people to donate what they can to either the Oxfam shop in Malahide or by calling 1850 30 40 55. People can also visit www.oxfamireland.org or can consider organising a fundraising event such as a cake sale or table quiz.