Generous South Lakeland residents have continued to pledge their support for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Thousands of pounds have been collected for the relief fund by volunteers and organisations keen to give their help to the estimated five million people in Asia who were made homeless by the Boxing Day disaster.

n Youngsters at Ghyllside School, in Kendal, helped to organise and take part in a variety of fun events to help raise money for fishing nets and boats for a devastated Indian community they have shared a special link with for three years.

The school usually raises funds to buy shoes and other luxuries for children at the Riber Memorial Day Care Centre, in Madras, which looks after and educates three to five year olds, but their special efforts will this year help families in the region to begin earning a living once more.

Their mammoth fund-raising efforts included holding a breakfast bar for families and a soup and bun luncheon, Christmas toy tombola, a reception pyjama party and wet sponge throwing at teachers and lunchtime staff.

n Pupils from Kirkbie Kendal School spent three hours of their time at Asda on Friday, January 14, to collect £753.07 for the tsunami relief fund.

n Shoppers in Kendal town centre enabled dedicated fundraiser Edith Hearn to collect £163 for the tsunami appeal as well as £150 for the Carlisle flood appeal when she displayed the knitted village of Purling in Westmorland Shopping Centre.

"We had several notes and lots of two pound coins so people have been very generous." said Mrs Hearn.

"It was quite heartwarming to see children putting bits of pocket money in."

n A group of brave volunteers raised more than £700 with a sponsored leap into the cold water of Coniston this week.

Karen and Andrew Fraser, Patrick Fagan, Lesley McCartney and Janice Tubman, all staff from Hills Garage in the village, took the plunge to raise the cash.

"It was absolutely freezing but we managed to raise some money for the appeal so it was all worthwhile," said Mr Fraser.

Other events are still to be held throughout the area.

n A memorial service for the victims will take place at St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster, on Sunday, at 4pm. And a collection will be held in aid of the appeal following an historic talk at the Cathedral Social Centre on Friday, February 4.

n A collection at the Holy Trinity and St George Catholic Church, in Kendal, raised £1,180 last week bringing the total for the parish to £5,014.40.

n A special day for children has been organised by Andrew Kaye, of the Fun Factory, in Parkside Road, Kendal, on Wednesday, January 26. Youngsters will be able to join in fun activities, including a number of arts and crafts with paper and materials donated by Croppers Plc at Burneside, as well as face-painting and raffle prizes throughout the day.

n A family fun day has also been organised at Urswick Recreation Hall, in Urswick, near Ulverston on Sunday, January 30, from 10am. It is hoped the line up of children's activities and games, face painting, refreshments, cakes and various stalls and crafts will help boost funds for the appeal. Anyone interested in operating a stall at the event is asked to contact Jo-Anne on 01229-581391.

n Soroptomist International of Windermere and District have funded the purchase of an Aquabox 30 which will provide 33,000 litres of fresh water for survivors of the disaster.

n Pupils at Ingleton Middle School held a bring and buy sale in aid of The Peruvian Playground Project and the tsunami appeal during their morning break on Friday, January 14, and raised £301.