THE OWNER of Dorchester’s Horse with the Red Umbrella was full of praise for his staff and customers as he handed over a four-figure sum for the Echo’s Typhoon Appeal.

The High West Street cafe organised a week of events for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, with staff dressing in pink on one day, in pyjamas on another and wearing crazy hair on another.

They also held a raffle throughout the week with a top prize of a meal for four at the venue.

But it was cafe owner John who made the biggest personal sacrifice after being persuaded to undergo a leg wax to boost funds.

The event pulled in a large crowd and John said the total of £1,040.80 that was raised over the week made all the pain worthwhile.

He said: “It’s amazing the generosity of all the people, it’s just incredible.

“I’m overwhelmed and I’ve not stopped thinking about it all weekend.”

John thanked the Echo for the publicity it gave to his fundraising efforts and sang the praises of his team at the Horse with the Red Umbrella for the way they embraced the fundraising effort and fancy dress themes.

He said: “All the girls made such a great effort to get dressed up. I also want to say a big thank you to all the customers.”

Generous Dorset Echo readers have now raised almost £5,000 for the appeal. The Dorset Echo and our sister paper the Daily Echo in Bournemouth joined forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee to ask readers to give what they could to support those affected by devastating Typhoon Haiyan.

Donations ranging from £5 to much larger amounts have been received, including a bumper cheque for £5,000, which was sent to the Bournemouth office by an anonymous donor, bringing the joint total to more than £13,000.

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION

To make a donation, you can send a cheque made payable to ‘DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal’ to the Dorset Echo offices at Granby Industrial Estate, Hampshire Road, Weymouth DT4 9XD; Antelope Walk, Dorchester DT1 1BE or the Bridport News, 67 East Street, Bridport DT6 3LB.

You can also visit dec.org.uk or call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900 – and donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque.

You can also make a donation of £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

What your money will buy those in need:

  • £25: Water purification tablets for ten families for a month
  •  £50: Feed a family for two weeks
  • l£100: Emergency shelter and bedding for a family Visit dorsetecho.co.uk/typhoon for more information.