Seven and a half tonnes of food and clothes have been raised in just two weeks by a Mitcham school to help the people of Grenada.

William Morris Primary School in Mitcham launched a ‘harvest festival’ appeal after hearing of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ivan to the Caribbean island of Grenada

Other schools across Merton supported the initiatve with children bringing in donations such as tinned foods, toiletries, water purifying tablets, clothes and other basic necessities to help the people of the beleaguered island get back on their feet.

The idea was the brainchild of the head of William Morris, Melanie Haynes.

“I am amazed at what we have achieved in just two weeks. The appeal has been a fantastic success, with a great effort made by lots of Merton schools. I would like to thank eveyone, from the children and their parents to Sunlight Merton and Steve Downey who provided us with a large lorry to deliver the seven and a half tonnes of donations to the Red Cross, Ebony Care and Kevin Cadogen for the van and John Hughes and the guys on security for looking after everything at the Civic Centre.”

The goods will be shipped to Grenada by the Red Cross on Saturday Otober 2.

The Category Five storm was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to have hit the Caribbean, killing at least 68 people in a devastating run through Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Ends

Notes to editors

Pictures of a portion of the donations at Civic Centre with Melanie Haynes and the Leader of the Council, Andrew Judge amongst others are attached.

PRESS CONTACT:
Matt Rickard
PR & Press Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 3483