Hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica on 18 September changing the lives of the whole population. The category 5 hurricane (the strongest to ever hit the island) destroyed entire crops, disrupted power and water supplies. All the health services were affected, landslides blocked roads and whole communities were cut off for days, even weeks.

The village of Toucari was devastated. The beachfront bars had their roofs ripped off as did most homes, and many houses were completely demolished. If you have been to Toucari, and stayed in one of our cottages, you will know your hosts Caso and Son and their families, one a hard working widower and father of 5 the other a charming 73-year-old who is almost blind from glaucoma. You may also know our lovely housekeeper Christine, a single mother of 3. These are the people who made your stay comfortable, wonderful and down right unforgettable. These are the families we want to help in their time of crisis.

When generous guests started to email us asking how they could help, I set up this fund to hopefully raise enough money to help our friends rebuild their homes and then their lives. Christine had windows and doors blown in but thankfully her roof stayed on. Son had his whole roof ripped off. Caso had most of his roof blown away and then lost windows, doors and many possessions including most of the children's clothes. Nothing was safe from these 200 mph winds. Images of Toucari and neighbouring village Cottage