Fermoy and the surrounding area has responded with characteristic generosity to the Filipino aid effort in the wake of the recent typhoon that left over four thousand people dead, 18,000 injured and over 1,600 missing.

Bucket collections in the SuperValu and Centra supermarkets in Fermoy in recent days were well supported and an appeal for clothing and shoes was so successful that it has been wound up as there’s no more room in the container that’s being shipped.

“We were inundated, it was unbelievable,” local councillor and Fermoy businessman Noel Barnes said. He thanked everyone who had contributed for their generosity. His wife is from the Philippines, though not from the affected eastern central part of the country devastated by the storm. Noel though has a friend from Bray in Co Wicklow whose outdoor activity centre on the island of Malapascua was destroyed. His staff of mainly young workers are missing, believed to be swept out to sea.

A night of music in aid of the disaster relief effort is being organised for this Friday night in the Elbow Lane Inn. Lots of talented local musicians are taking part, including Brian O’Reilly, Mo O’Connor, Valerie O’Leary, Deirdre Foley, Lisa and Philip Dunphy, Caithlin Falvey, Pat O’Connor, Jerry Feerick, Michelle Hurley and Friends, The Singing Companies and Market Lane Poets. All support will be much appreciated.

A special Credit Union account is being opened for members of the public locally to make donations. The intiative is being organised by well known local philanthropist Tom Kavanagh. Details of the account are available at the credit union for those who’d like to donate. Noel Barnes intends taking the money raised to the Philippines personally during a visit there over Christmas, where he’ll join his wife and children who are travelling earlier for a family reunion.

Last week we reported that Marie Tobin from the Philippines but married and living in Fermoy, had family missing in the municipality of Palompon on the west coast of Layte province. On Friday a non-uniform day was held at her son Darragh’s school, Bishop Murphy’s, to raise funds for the relief effort.

Meanwhile a book of condolence was opened at the Town Hall in Fermoy on Thursday morning to allow people to sign in a show of support and solidarity with those affected by the disaster.