Helping Haiyan Victims

Following Typhoon Haiyan which hit The Philippines in November, generous Rochdale Borough Council employees responded to a call to help the survivors by donating £210 to be spent on supplies.

The charity drive has been led by senior legal officer Diane Lund, legal officer Helen leach and payroll officer Janice Barandino, who is originally from the Philippines.

Janice, whose own family were fortunately unaffected by one of the worst natural disaster to hit the country, said: “Watching the images on TV coming from my homeland was heart-breaking and we really wanted to do something to help. It was Diane’s idea to buy produce with the donated money and that way we can ensure donations made by our generous colleagues will go directly to those survivors who need it.”

On November 8, Typhoon Haiyan killed up to 10,000 people and in its wake left many millions more injured and in need of food, shelter and medical supplies.

The money donated by Rochdale Borough Council staff has been used to purchase dry and tinned goods, including pasta, hot dogs, tuna, fruit, rice, biscuits, ham, noodles and cereal bars.

The goods will be packaged and will take around three to four weeks to arrive in The Philippines by cargo ship, where they will be distributed to the needy by Rotary Club of Manilla 101.

To make a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for the Philippines visit http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/philippines-typhoon-appeal