BUSINESSES and charitable organisations around Weymouth and Dorchester have thrown their weight behind the campaign supporting victims of the Philippines typhoon.

It comes after the Dorset Echo launched an appeal to help those in the stricken island country.

The Echo has joined forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which encompasses all of the UK major aid agencies.

Dorchester’s Rotary Clubs have been out collecting donations for vital aid equipment to send to those whose lives have been devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.

Generous contributions on Wednesday saw over £3,300 raised, which will be enough to buy 22 water survival boxes or nearly six ShelterBoxes, which can provide shelter, water, cooking facilities and other vital supplies for families.

Rotarians hit the streets again yesterday and will be out again today.

The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce is also showing its support after announcing that this year’s president’s Christmas breakfast on Tuesday, December 10, will help to raise funds for the Philippines Disaster Appeal.

The breakfast at Kingston Maurward College will feature music from the Dorchester Community Choir.

There will be a raffle to raise funds and the chamber has already made an initial donation of £200.

The Horse with the Red Umbrella in High West Street is also doing its bit to support the appeal with a week of fundraising.

A raffle will be launched this Saturday with great prizes.

Staff will also be dressing up with a pink day on Monday, a pyjama day on Wednesday and a crazy hair day next Saturday, November 23.

Meanwhile in Weymouth, members of the town’s three Rotary Clubs are doing their bit to raise money for ShelterBox and will be at Asda this weekend. The boxes contain everything a displaced family could need including tents, a stove and water purification.

Weymouth ShelterBox spokesman Ian Brooke said: “We are already stretched trying to get ShelterBoxes with tents and blankets to the two million refugees who are fleeing the civil war in Syria and now we need to get them to the Philippines.

“It will be a struggle but I am sure that the people of Weymouth will be generous.”

How you can donate to DEC appeal

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