Town community fundraises for Jamaican hurricane

Isaac Turay and Elaine Tappin have both volunteered to help co-ordinate donations and fundraising

A town's Caribbean community is leading a fundraising campaign to help people in Jamaica left devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

Ipswich Jamaica Aid is using a vacant unit in the Buttermarket shopping centre for people to drop off items including toiletries, clothes, medicine and batteries.

There is also a performance area set up for local musicians and poets to encourage cash donations as well.

Isaac Turay, one of the volunteer organisers, said: "It pulls on your heartstrings — they've lost everything and we're trying to do what we can to help them."

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica

The category five storm hit Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba at the end of October leaving more than 30 dead.

It destroyed buildings and power lines, flooded communities and left people stranded without food or water.

Max Thomas, who founded the Ipswich Windrush Society, said: "We have two 40-foot containers ready to go on the 26 November.

"We are doing this not only for our community, but for our society — so anybody can come and support that.

"We are going to use our skills, our talents, to make this showcase what Ipswich has — a rich community that would support each other in these times of need."

David Carr, who performs as Ashanti Yard, is one of the many performing on Saturday, 22 November inside the Buttermarket shopping centre

So far the group has been given enough donations to fill one of the shipping containers, and are looking at booking a third to send off.

Local businesses have given tools, carpentry supplies and cement.

Elaine Tapping, from Sickle Cell Suffolk, is helping with logistics and admin.

"It's really emotional because we've got family there," she said.

"But people have really stepped up to help and we are really appreciative of their donations."

Donations already dropped off are enough to fill the first shipping container