Filipino nurses spearhead relief drive in UK

A FILIPINO with a child-volunteer during the relief operation. Photo from PNA-UK Facebook page

In response to the devastation wrought by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in  central Philippines, Filipinos in the United Kingdom, together with their  British  friends, collected relief goods and packed them into  two 40-cubic-feet  containers bound for calamity zones in the Visayas. The relief drive was spearheaded by UK Charity and  the Philippine Nurses Association-United Kingdom (PNA-UK).  The shipping charge was free, a  donation from  Tagalog Balikbayan Services.

PNA-UK and British friends pose in front of one of two containers of relief goods they shipped to the Visayas. Photo from PNA-UK Facebook page

Donations included ready-to-eat meals in easy-open cans, energy bars and biscuits, new toys and shelter materials like blankets.

Pinoy Radio UK conducted an online “Radiothon Calamity Fund Drive” for the victims of Yolanda. It is the first Filipino radio station online serving the Filipino community in the United Kingdom. Pinoy Radio UK,  led by station manager J. Sonny Laragan and Peps Villanueva, started the online radiothon donation drive on  Nov. 11.

There was also a “Photowalk for a Cause” last Nov. 10 from the London City Hall (near London Tower Bridge) to various iconic monuments and buildings within Central London.

This project was organized and participated in by Snapshooter International UK Chapter and Peterborough Litratista.

UK charity organizations have also organized their own fund-raising activities.