Cafe leads aid drive for hurricane-hit Jamaica

The owners of family run L'ouis-Mella Cafe Patisserie want to make sure aid is reaching all the parishes in Jamaica

A local cafe is organising a donation drive for those in Jamaica struggling in the aftermath of hurricane Melissa.

At least 30 people have died since the category five storm swept across the island with winds of 185 mph (297km/h).

Many roads on the island are still blocked by debris and people are isolated with little food, no power or running water.

The owners of the family-run L'ouis-Mella Cafe Patisserie in Bushbury, Wolverhampton have relatives living on the island and want to make sure all areas are receiving aid.

Camille Lange, who was born in Jamaica, said: "We're going to organise a team to represent each of the 14 parishes within Jamaica, to try and get shipments out to the most remote areas."

Parts of St Elizabeth in Jamaica have experienced flooding in recent days

Ms Lange said "this is bigger than us, it's going to take more than ourselves. It's going to take a community."

She is urging anyone who has relatives or friends on the island in an area that's struggling to receive aid, to contact the cafe.

"You may know someone from the parish you are from, who hasn't received any aid. If we are able to, we will send those donations across.

"It doesn't matter how big or small, everything adds up and everything will create some kind of aid to someone in need," she added.

The cafe has already received donations of food, water and other items from people in the local community which will be shipped to the island.

They are asking for baby essentials including pre-made milk formula rather than powdered formula.

Ms Lange's daughter, Chenae Lange, said: "It's quite heartbreaking because it's not only that people have lost their homes, they have lost their livelihoods, they've lost everything."

The Jamaican government has set up a list of essential items that need donating, and place to donate money online.