THE tsunami tragedy has touched the hearts of thousands of people in Prestwich and Whitefield, who have been generously supporting many fund-raising events.

Pupils at St Margaret's Primary School and parishioners at St Margaret's Church in Prestwich have got involved in the aid campaign by donating clothes and sundries.

Already a three-and-a-half ton truck full of goods has been delivered from the school in Heywood Road to the Preston-based International Aid, which will arrange transport to South East Asia, and a further collection will be made at the church on Sunday morning.

The driving force behind the campaign is mum-of-two Patricia Keiller who contacted International Aid to see how she could help the disaster appeal.

Mrs Keiller, of Mardale Close, Prestwich, organised the collection at school - where her daughter Ellie (10) attends - on Monday and persuaded Salford Van Hire to donate the use of a vehicle free of charge.

The 37-year-old said: "The response has been absolutely fantastic, I have been overwhelmed. We collected clothes, bedding, sleeping bags, towels and cutlery.

"I am just a mum of two little girls who was touched by what I saw on the television and I have been amazed at what can be achieved."

As well as the clothes collections, Mrs Keiller has organised a fundraising family fun night at St Margaret's Community Centre, in St Margaret's Road, on Saturday, January 29.

Just by word of mouth, Mrs Keiller managed to sell all 130 tickets before even getting them printed.

She has been inundated with offers of help from local businesses in Prestwich, including potatoes for the hotpot supper, plastic cutlery and plates and the services of a band for the night.

Anyone wishing to donate things to the disaster appeal can contact Mrs Keiller on 07866 274182.

The Murphy sisters are doing it for themselves to help victims.

Sports student Siobhan has organised a sponsored walk to raise money for the charity Cafod, which is helping survivors rebuild their lives in South East Asia.

She has enrolled the help of sisters Mairead and Roisin, and boyfriend James Bourke (19) to try and raise as much money as she can.

The walk will take place in Heaton Park, Prestwich, on Sunday, April 10 and the Murphys are delivering leaflets to churches and schools in Prestwich and Whitefield to encourage people to get involved.

Eighteen-year-old Siobhan, of Cambeck Close, Whitefield, who is studying applied sports science at Salford University, said: "I had always wanted to do a sponsored walk for charity and now seemed the right time."

Walkers wishing to take part should meet at the park entrance in St Margaret's Road at noon, details are on the leaflet which have been circulated in the community, or contact Siobhan for more details on 07845 378125.

Other events in aid of the disaster fund include:

A cabaret supper dance celebrating Valentine's Day will be raising vital funds. The dance, on February 12 at 7.30pm, will be held at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich with performances from the American Drifters band, comedian Max Pressure and Andy Keith, a one-time member of the Karl Denver Trio.

Tickets cost £15, including supper, and can be bought from the Longfield Suite on 0161 253 7227 or 0161 773 7448

Regulars at the Church Inn, in Church Lane, Prestwich, held an impromptu collection on New Year's Eve and raised £500.

Landlord Tom Gribben agreed to match the amount from the pub's charity fund and in total £1,000 was donated to the appeal. He thanked all his customers for their generosity.

Fundraising has continued at Our Lady of Grace Church in Prestwich. The church, in Fairfax Road, has donated money from two collections to the charity CAFOD.

An initial collection from a Sunday service raised £3,334, which was brought up to £5,437 with a further collection at the feast of Epiphany last week.

Monsignor John Allen, the priest at OLOG, congratulated parishioners on their "marvellous generosity".

The hard work has also been carried out at Our Lady of Grace Primary School, in Highfield Road, where £989 was raised.

A minute's silence was held at this week's meeting of Prestwich area board at Butterstile Primary School, in honour of the victims of the tsunami disaster. A collection was then held for the disaster appeal.