STUDENTS in Dorchester have responded after seeing the terrible effects of Typhoon Haiyan on the lives of people in the Philippines.

Sixth form students at the Thomas Hardy School studying for CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) level two and three diplomas in children’s care and education raised money for the children and families affected.

The students and staff gave up their weekend to bake an assortment of cakes and biscuits that were then sold at school during break and lunchtime on Monday.

They had hoped to raise £200 but their efforts were rewarded with £390.76.

The money raised will be donated to UNICEF, which will provide water kits for 39 families to access safe water.

The students said in a joint statement: “We hope our contribution will make a difference and we are proud of our team work and achievement.”

Support for victims of the typhoon has also come from the county town’s Lions club, which is playing its part in the combined efforts of Lions clubs across the nation that have pledged £200,000 to send 1,000 lifesaving water filtration systems to the Philippines.

The global Lions network has also seen funds come in from across the world and Lions clubs in the Philippines are working on the ground in with government officials and other agencies.

Dorchester and District Lions Club president Andy Rose said: “Lions Clubs provide a global network able to give immediate support when disasters strike.

“Through our Lions Clubs International Foundation we maintain a disaster fund so the organisation can respond immediately with one hundred per cent of donations going direct to local relief efforts co-ordinated by Lions operating in affected communities.

“Fundraising in Dorchester is also going to provide the most basic of human needs – clean drinking water.

“Typhoon Haiyan has been called the worst storm to make landfall in recorded history, and its devastation is hard to imagine. “As Lions, we not only help our local communities, but are able to respond when relief is required in any local community.”

• Dorset Echo readers have now donated more than £3,000 to the appeal as the cash continues to roll in.

Cheques are being banked immediately so that the cash can start making a real difference right now.

The figure is on top of donations being made by phone, text and online.

Donations ranging from £5 to £100 have been received after the newspapers joined forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee to ask readers to give what they could.

Our sister paper The Bournemouth Echo has also raised almost £3,000 bringing the total for both papers to almost £6,000.

To find out more visit dorsetecho.co.uk/typhoon To make a donation, you can drop in cash or 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 at 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:

• £25 – Water purification tablets for ten families for a month;

• £50 – Feed a family for two weeks;

• £100 – Emergency shelter and bedding for a family.