PEOPLE in South Lakeland have rallied round to collect huge sums of money for the victims of the Asian earthquake, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

The members of The Rotary Club of Kendal said they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have contributed to their appeal for money for water purification Aquaboxes for victims of the tsunami.

Money is still arriving and as of yesterday (Tuesday), £18,000 had been collected in buckets at Asda and Booths in the town. Another £300 was received in cheques in yesterday's post.

The Rotarians decided that £10,000 would be used for Aquaboxes, each of which has the capability of providing 33,000 litres of drinkable water. The remaining £8,000 will be used to send Shelterboxes, each of which contains water purification equipment, a ten-person tent, ten sleeping bags and cooking equipment.

Club president Alan Procter wanted to pass on their heartfelt thanks: "We knew Kendal people are always generous, but this has exceeded our wildest expectations.

"We are grateful to the staff of Asda and Booths, everyone involved in arranging the collections, and particularly the donors.

"The money has now been sent, and every penny donated will be used to help victims of the tsunami disaster."

He said that club members had never experienced the outpouring of goodwill that they had seen during the collections.

Meanwhile, at the Eclectic bar in Kendal, a New Year's Eve party raised £434 for the national Disasters Emergency Committee, with help from friends, family and regulars, plus some members of staff who donated their wages for the night.

Churches throughout the Carlisle diocese have been asked to make a collection on two Sundays in January. At Kendal Parish Church, several hundred pounds has already been received, and this Sunday's epiphany carols service at 6.30pm will be in aid of the appeal.

Staff and customers at the Village Inn in Lake Road, Bowness, collected cash over the weekend, which was matched by owners Bruce and Sue Dennison and Martin Dennison, to raise a total of £1,640.

Rotarians will be collecting once again at Booths in Kendal on Friday and Saturday, January 7 and 8. Donations can also still be sent to Alan Procter, 4 Whitbarrow Close, Sedbergh Drive, Kendal, LA9 6RR, with cheques payable to The Rotary Club of Kendal.