Reggae legends appeal for hurricane-torn Jamaica

At least 30 people in Jamaica have died and whole towns destroyed since the hurricane hit a week ago

Two reggae legends have appealed for help in getting aid to Jamaica which was hit by hurricane Melissa a week ago.

Supporting a donations drive in Leyton, east London, Maxi Priest and Luciano urged people to drop off anything they could spare for a shipment due to go to the island on Friday.

"It doesn't matter how small it is, we just have to do something," Maxi Priest said.

At least 30 people in Jamaica have died and whole towns have been destroyed since the hurricane hit.

Reggae singer Maxi Priest is urging Londoners to help those affected by hurricane Melissa

Maxi said he missed the devastating hurricane by a day, having been on the Caribbean island for a funeral in St. Elizabeth parish.

He said the service was moved from the afternoon to the morning, and he was able to catch one of the last flights out "then this happened".

"I feel kind of hopeless.

"My friends and family are telling me that roads falling apart, people are standing on table tops, there are mud slides."

Grammy-nominated reggae singer Luciano said people's donations have felt reassuring

Grammy-nominated reggae singer Luciano said: "We have to extend our love and charity to the people who have suffered the most.

"What happened in Jamaica is terrible.

"Some of the places people want to reach are not reachable anymore because roads are blocked - there is a lot of debris on the road meaning they are not passable.

"People here have donated food and other items - it's nice to know there are still good people in this world."

UK-based comedian White Yardie, who was born in Jamaica, says he feels helpless

Jamaican-born comedian Harry Gregory, also known as White Yardie, said: "I'm trying to do as much as I can, but I feel very helpless.

"My friends and family feel it's going to be years before they will get back to some sort of normal life. People are going to die. There are people who just want a drink of water and are not getting it.

"There are some areas that have been really badly hit but are just not getting any attention."

Residents of Whitehouse in Westmoreland Parish try to piece their lives back together

Volunteers have come together in Brixton to sort through thousands of items donated by the community.

JN Bank - a Jamaican bank which has branches in London, partnered with Food for the Poor Jamaica, the local charity ensuring supplies reach the hardest-hit communities and those most in need.

Its deputy CEO Paulette Simpson said: "All the essential relief items, donated by ordinary people, are being packed to be shipped.

"We need as much help as we can get."

Anyone wanting to donate or volunteer their time should contact I Support Jamaica, Ms Simpson said.