Bridget Brice, Avril Crutchley, Heather Rice and Jack Rice have set up the Furness Tsunami Appeal and opened up their own charity shop on Tuesday at Theatre Street, Ulverston.

"The response has been absolutely overwhelming," said Mrs Crutchley who has previously helped raise cash for Kosovo with her friend Mrs Brice.

"We were in tears after a dear old man came in and donated some clothes and £10. He obviously didn't have very much himself but he still wanted to give, everybody does."

The fledgling charity also staged a bread and cheese lunch on Wednesday at the Coronation Hall with food donated by Booths Supermarket, Greggs and Co-op. More than 200 people came earning £880 for the appeal.

The group is now looking for more donations of clothes, toys and anything they can sell to raise cash. They are also looking for customers, volunteers to staff the shop and new shop premises in Ulverston, Kendal and Barrow. Anyone who can help can call 01229-587074.

The Tinners Rabbit in Ulverston is donating all profits earned on New Year's Eve to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and an in-store charity box has attracted more than £250 so far. "We are all so fortunate here, if you have any money you have got to give," said owner Chris Benefield. "People have been very generous, there have been £20 notes in there."Ulverston's Co-op has also put buckets for cash donations at its tills. Since Friday they have collected £500. "Nearly every customer is giving, I have never known anything like it before," said store manager Kevin Rigg.