Man 'forever grateful' to hurricane appeal donors

A "man on a mission" has described his community as "absolutely fantastic" after packing their donations into a shipping container headed for Jamaica.

Robbie Campbell teamed up with Stoke-on-Trent organisations and businesses to collect household items for people affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The shipment is due to arrive in the Caribbean before Christmas and the goods will be distributed by the Jamaican Trust.

"We are forever eternally grateful to all those, including the volunteers, that have helped us out and donated to this important and worthwhile cause," Mr Campbell said.

Mr Campbell is of Jamaican descent and has family living in the Caribbean directly affected by the hurricane.

"My brother's mum, her house took a direct hit, the roof needs repair," he explained. "There's a lot of water damage and mud around that particular area of St Catherine."

Deb Latham and Karen Crutchley of Wynsors in Hanley have collected shoes for Jamaican families

Hearing of the devastation across the country, Mr Campbell and friend Naomi Stewart from Brickhouse Events and Catering wanted to support as many families as possible.

They set up donation points at Fenton Community Centre, Cobridge Community Multicultural Association, the Green Star pub in Smallthorne and others.

Toys, food, clothes, shoes, bedding, medical supplies, and toiletries have been collected ready to be sent across the Atlantic on Thursday.

"We've been overwhelmed at the headquarters in Tunstall by the items that we have in storage there ready for shipment," Mr Campbell said.

Hurricane Melissa devastated towns like Black River

Jamaican Heather Cummings had her Black River property "devastated" and has been updating her family in Stoke-on-Trent on the "slow" recovery since the "worst hurricane" she has ever experienced.

"Black River town still looks horrible - there is rubble all over the place," she said.

She described people living in tents beside their flattened homes and receiving medical care under a canvas outside the destroyed hospital.

"The Jamaican people are resilient," she stated, "I saw some of the leaves are growing back on the trees - that is a sign of hope."

"But I know we have a long way to go."