A FILIPINO woman who has lived in Dorset for 43 years says she has been overwhelmed by people’s generosity following Typhoon Haiyan.

Tess Painter, of Osmington, is urging people to keep giving to the Echo’s appeal as victims of the typhoon try to rebuild their lives.

So far we have raised almost £3,500 from the appeal thanks to kind-hearted readers.

Mrs Painter’s ballroom dancing club, based at Charlton Down, donated £210 in its monthly charity raffle.

Retired nurse Mrs Painter, 63, has family living close to Manila, which wasn’t badly affected by Haiyan.

She said she wanted to thank all her fellow ballroom dancers at the club and Rotary Clubs in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester which have held collections.

Mrs Painter said: “It’s taken me by surprise. I’m just really touched and overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of people.

“I want to extend my gratitude to Jean and David Keys and the ballroom dance group and the Dorset Echo for bringing the typhoon to the attention of the public and to the different organisations who have given tremendous support and donations.”

Mrs Painter, who helps run a luncheon club in Osmington with her husband Martin, said she plans to visit family in her home country in April.

“Although the Philippines has a typhoon season, the people have never seen anything like this,” she said.

“My brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces are there and I’m going back next year for a reunion.”

“I want to keep on encouraging people to give. It will take a decade to put this right and get things rebuilt.”

Jean Keys, who holds a ballroom dancing class in Charlton Down, said the club raises £3,000 for various causes in a year and the Philippines appeal was a natural choice.

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

The £3,400 raised so far is on top of donations being made by phone, text and online.

Our sister paper The Bournemouth Echo has also raised around £3,500 bringing the total for both papers to £7,000.

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.

  • 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.

Visit dorsetecho.co.uk/typhoon