Whitehead coffee morning raises thousands for Japan relief effort

Friday’s fundraiser at Whitehead Pavilion was organised by a group of local people with strong links to the country devastated by tsunami, earthquake and nuclear power plant damage.

Among those helping with the event in the seaside town was Carrick businessman Keith Norris and his wife Yukari, who is originally from Japan. “My family are all along the west coast of Japan, so luckily they weren’t badly affected,” said Yukari.

However, local woman Yoriko Marshall, whose family live in some of the worst-hit areas, is still waiting for news from several of her relatives.

“Unfortunately my cousin’s wife, whose home was swept away by the tsunami, has died,” said Yoriko, who visited her relatives in Japan only a few weeks before the disaster.

“I can’t get in contact with some other cousins as they have been evacuated, so I am just waiting to hear from them. I really appreciate that so many people came and supported the coffee morning and helped us raise so much.”

Jeremy Jones and his wife Maria, from Whitehead, also took part in organising the coffee morning.

“The event was advertised through the local community, a Facebook page, posters in the school, and we’ve been supported by the golf club,” said Jeremy.

“There’s was no particular target for the day - we just wanted to raise as much as we can. For such a small community, the turn-out has been fantastic.”

With contributions still coming in this week, further initiatives are planned.

“Whatever is raised will be transferred to the Japanese Red Cross, and Northern Bank have kindly agreed to waive the fee for doing so,” said Keith.

“We’re hoping to organise a few more events to raise more funds.”