Story
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In less that a month, the Caribbean has been hit by two powerful hurricanes (Frances & Ivan) and tropical storm Jeanne - some of the worst in fifty years.
The storms have left a trail of destruction in their wake.
Many people have died or been injured, and houses and
buildings have been completely destroyed or badly damaged.
Thousands of people have lost their homes and are in desperate need of food, water and shelter.
We decided to combine the personal challenge of running our first (and last!!) ever marathon with raising money for a worthwhile cause. So please sponsor us now. Every contribution will make what is proving to be a very painful experience - worthwhile!!! Thanks for your support. Graham and Jane Howe ------------------------------------------------------------ Devastation Caused : A national disaster was declared in Grenada after the island suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan on Tuesday the 7th of September. At least 23 people have died and many people have been injured, with 90% of homes and other properties damaged or totally destroyed. Water and electricity supplies were cut off and two thirds (60,000) of the island's population became homeless over night. Although a direct hit by Hurricane Ivan was predicted for Jamaica, the storm passed just west of Jamaica on Saturday the 11th of September. Even so, the country was pounded by winds nearing 250 kilometres per hour, heavy rains and tidal surges. At least 15 people were killed and there was extensive damage to roofs and roads. The Cayman Islands were next, where winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour flooded parts of Grand Cayman Island on Sunday the 12th of September. Up to half of the island's 15,000 homes were affected. It is estimated that 90 per cent of the homes and buildings in West Bay, the worst affected area on Grand Cayman, have been severely damaged or destroyed. The sewage system has also collapsed and a government shelter sustained severe damage. Although Hurricane Ivan did not hit Cuba directly, it caused severe damage to buildings and roads. So far, no deaths have been reported. Tropical Storm Jeanne has also caused widespread destruction in countries such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. In Haiti, at least 1,500 people have been killed and a further 1,000 are missing presumed dead. Flood waters rose up to five metres leaving thousand homeless. Both main hospitals and over 90% of health clinics were destroyed. Hardest hit has been the city of Gonaives where it is estimated that 80 per cent of the population has been affected. Houses in the city have been damaged and hundreds of residents have been forced to take refuge on rooftops and trees to escape the rising floodwaters. British Red Cross response The British Red Cross' Caribbean Hurricane Appeal was launched for £250,000 on the 10th of September. The target has now been raised to £400,000. It has so far raised over £100,000. Money from the appeal will provide urgently needed shelter materials, food, blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene articles, and clean water for vunerable families across the Caribbean. What your money can buy: £7 = plastic sheeting £1.50 = 20 litre plastic jerry can £3 = family hygiene parcel (washing powder (1kg), soap (100g), tooth paste (100g), tooth brush, shampoo, sanitary pads and toilet paper) For more information visit the British Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org.uk/caribbeanappeal, the International Federation website at www.ifrc.org or the ICRC website at www.icrc.org. © British Red Cross 2004 | Registered charity number 220949 British Red Cross, 9 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EJ ------------------------------------------------------------ Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Red Cross will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor us now! Many thanks again for your support. Graham and Jane Howe
In less that a month, the Caribbean has been hit by two powerful hurricanes (Frances & Ivan) and tropical storm Jeanne - some of the worst in fifty years.
The storms have left a trail of destruction in their wake.
Many people have died or been injured, and houses and
buildings have been completely destroyed or badly damaged.
Thousands of people have lost their homes and are in desperate need of food, water and shelter.
We decided to combine the personal challenge of running our first (and last!!) ever marathon with raising money for a worthwhile cause. So please sponsor us now. Every contribution will make what is proving to be a very painful experience - worthwhile!!! Thanks for your support. Graham and Jane Howe ------------------------------------------------------------ Devastation Caused : A national disaster was declared in Grenada after the island suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan on Tuesday the 7th of September. At least 23 people have died and many people have been injured, with 90% of homes and other properties damaged or totally destroyed. Water and electricity supplies were cut off and two thirds (60,000) of the island's population became homeless over night. Although a direct hit by Hurricane Ivan was predicted for Jamaica, the storm passed just west of Jamaica on Saturday the 11th of September. Even so, the country was pounded by winds nearing 250 kilometres per hour, heavy rains and tidal surges. At least 15 people were killed and there was extensive damage to roofs and roads. The Cayman Islands were next, where winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour flooded parts of Grand Cayman Island on Sunday the 12th of September. Up to half of the island's 15,000 homes were affected. It is estimated that 90 per cent of the homes and buildings in West Bay, the worst affected area on Grand Cayman, have been severely damaged or destroyed. The sewage system has also collapsed and a government shelter sustained severe damage. Although Hurricane Ivan did not hit Cuba directly, it caused severe damage to buildings and roads. So far, no deaths have been reported. Tropical Storm Jeanne has also caused widespread destruction in countries such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. In Haiti, at least 1,500 people have been killed and a further 1,000 are missing presumed dead. Flood waters rose up to five metres leaving thousand homeless. Both main hospitals and over 90% of health clinics were destroyed. Hardest hit has been the city of Gonaives where it is estimated that 80 per cent of the population has been affected. Houses in the city have been damaged and hundreds of residents have been forced to take refuge on rooftops and trees to escape the rising floodwaters. British Red Cross response The British Red Cross' Caribbean Hurricane Appeal was launched for £250,000 on the 10th of September. The target has now been raised to £400,000. It has so far raised over £100,000. Money from the appeal will provide urgently needed shelter materials, food, blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene articles, and clean water for vunerable families across the Caribbean. What your money can buy: £7 = plastic sheeting £1.50 = 20 litre plastic jerry can £3 = family hygiene parcel (washing powder (1kg), soap (100g), tooth paste (100g), tooth brush, shampoo, sanitary pads and toilet paper) For more information visit the British Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org.uk/caribbeanappeal, the International Federation website at www.ifrc.org or the ICRC website at www.icrc.org. © British Red Cross 2004 | Registered charity number 220949 British Red Cross, 9 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EJ ------------------------------------------------------------ Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Red Cross will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor us now! Many thanks again for your support. Graham and Jane Howe