Two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit Dominica with full force, I have FINALLY heard from a member of my extended family in Castle Bruce on the East Coast. My fears have been confirmed. 95% of the Village has been destroyed and people have lost everything.

Aid has not yet reached Castle Bruce!!

After two weeks there is still no electricity, water or communications in the village. Dominica's many beautiful rivers are contaminated by death and stagnant waters have brought swarms of mosquitoes, to add to their misery.

My niece travelled to the capital Roseau yesterday to make a call to ask for my help.

My Mum and Dad are trapped and in poor health. International aid has not yet reached the area and the people of Castle Bruce are suffering. Dominicans need as much help as they can NOW from individuals - as well as the global community - to bring some stability and humanity to the situation on the ground.

I am travelling to Castle Bruce on 17th October. I need your help to fund this mission to give my hands-on help and to include the purchase of a Satellite Phone, Solar powerbanks and lights, wind-up Torches, Flatpack Bags to collect water, Water purification tablets, Medicine.

I will take as much as I can carry and once there will help as many people as I can in Castle Bruce to communicate with their loved ones abroad.

Please give what you can even if just love and prayers.

Many thanks for your support.

READ the LATEST news updates on Dominica on NEWSNOW

Urgent Support needed for Dominica - Island Hardest hit by Hurricane Maria - International Organization for Migration

The Slow Road to Rebuilding Dominica - The Guardian