Filipino group rallies to help typhoon victims

Thousands of people are feared to have been killed by Typhoon Haiyan, a tropical cyclone which struck the central Philippines last Friday. In response, the city’s Lisburn Filipino Community group has ogranised an appeal.

The group is accepting donations of clothing, bed sheets and towels which will be shipped to the devastated region. St Patrick’s Pastoral Centre Hall will be open on Sunday between 9am to 1pm to receive items. There will also be a cake/bun sale to raise cash donations.

Councillor Pat Catney, who will be on hand to help at the fundraiser, said he was sure that the “very generous people of Lisburn would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Filipino community”.

Mr Catney continued, “Many in the Filipino community work for our crucial frontline services; they are nurses for the health service and care assistants. I have been speaking to people who don’t know what has happened to their relatives. The appeal is a way of showing that we care, and that we want to help.”

According to the United Nations more than 11 million people are believed to have been affected and some 673,000 displaced. The Lisburn Filipino group has rented a truck which they hope will be completely packed with essential items to help those without food or shelter.

The councillor added that he had spoken to his council colleagues, including Mayor Margaret Tolerton, who had offered their help and support.

The Lisburn branch of Habitat for Humanity has also launched an appeal. “We urgently need help and are calling on the local community to join with us, every penny will make a difference. The effectiveness of Habitat’s response depends simply on the support available.” People can donate online habitatni.co.uk, on the phone 92 635635 or by calling in ReStore, Riverside Centre.