UPDATED AFTER CLARE AND KIDS' ARRIVAL IN UK 18/9/17

Clare, Noah and Millie arrived safely in the UK at the weekend and will be staying with our parents for the time being. Considering what they have been through the kids seem remarkably upbeat. Clare was unsurprisingly exhausted when I saw her on Sunday. Now all are thoughts are with Gary, as reports suggest that Hurricane Maria may well add to the problems facing those left behind in Tortola.

UPDATED AFTER PHONE CONTACT FROM GARY ON 9/9/17

Hurricane Irma caused devastation across the Caribbean in early September, and communication from the British Virgin Islands has been virtually non-existent since. My family received news that my sister Clare, her husband Gary and their two children survived, but their house is very badly damaged and will take a huge amount of effort to rebuild. The fate of their boats Kuralu and Kuralu Too is unknown, but as they were in Paraqueeta Bay which has been the subject of a much publicised photo showing the destruction they are likely lost.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like to go through that storm while your home is being destroyed around you.

The future will be difficult for everyone in the Caribbean, and huge amounts of money will be needed to rebuild, on a national and individual scale. No amount of money will help them recover from the experience, but I would like to raise as much as I can to help them get back on their feet. I also want to feel like I'm doing something while I sit here in safety waiting for news.

I expect the tourist trade will be devastated for some time, so even with one remaining boat Clare and Gary will have no habitable home, and no source of income.

I will post updates to this page as soon as I hear anything further. If they would prefer the help goes elsewhere when we make contact, all funds raised will go to the BVI disaster relief effort.