Everybody is helping (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Everybody is helping

WAKE OF THE TSUNAMI: Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee's tsunami earthquake appeal yesterday reached £100 million, the organisation said.

And Adver readers are showing tremendous generosity.

Wootton Bassett's firefighters will be washing cars to raise money for the appeal.

Two fire appliances will be in the car park behind Iceland in the town's High Street on Saturday from 9am.

Andrew Steele, 30, firefighter at the town's retained fire station, said: "We'll be washing cars until we drop.

"People can make a donation.

"It's something we can do that will appeal to most people, who can get their cars washed, and donate at the same time."

Staff at the Blunsdon House Hotel have donated their Christmas tips.

A cheque for £2,000 has been given to the Rotary Club of North Wiltshire who will send the money to Rotarians in India and Sri Lanka who are helping with the relief work.

Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op spokesman Bill Laird said: "All our till points in all stores now have the facility to accept donations to the appeal which can be given directly or added to the cost of your shopping."

Swindon bands will play for free at a gig to raise money for the tsunami appeal.

The event is being held at Area 51 in Stratton on Thursday January 13.

Among the bands taking part are Buzztone, a skate punk band, Struck Blind, winners of the recent New College Battle of the Bands, and Belltones, a ska punk band.

Terry Shipp, one of the organisers, said: "It should be a good night. We have a decent PA system organised, and everyone is giving their services for nothing."

Doors open at 8pm. Admission costs £4.

The Castle Hotel in Prospect Place, Old Town, will hold a charity night on Friday, January 14. The pub, which has already raised £280 for the cause through customers donating change, will host a quiz, pool competition, raffle and yard of ale contest from 8-11pm.

Children at Beechcroft Infants and Junior Schools are also hoping to help the victims of the tsunami by bringing in bottled water, tinned food and clothes.

The supplies will then be taken to the warehouse on Wroughton airfield where aid is being stored before being flown to Asia.

Staff at North Wiltshire District Council are holding an auction of unwanted Christmas gifts today.

Also among the hundreds of items already donated are the ability to bid for extra days' leave, and the use of the Chief Executive's parking space for a month.

In addition there will be a dress-down day when staff will be able to make a donation and earn the right to wear casual clothes to work.

There will also be a competition where different departments donate coins and attempt to lay down the longest row of coins across the Atrium floor of the Monkton Park offices in Chippenham.

Chairman of North Wiltshire District Council, Cllr Dianne Moore said: "The pictures of the devastation have shocked us all. We are all keen to help however we can and it appears that the most useful way at the moment is to raise as much money as possible for the appeal.

"What started as an idea for an extra dress-down day has snowballed. The next 10 days will see a concerted effort by all the staff and councillors to support the victims of this appalling disaster".

Chief Executive Bob Marshall said: "The fundraising team has made enormous progress in just a few days and it's incredible to see the steady flow of gifts for the auction.

"I for one will be scouring the house for all the loose change to add to the coin race".