OK unless you have been without TV or radio for the last couple of days
you will know about this disaster in the Indian Ocean.
There is a main charity umbrella organisation now set up to take
donations - 1 alone would do a lot in food/clean water for someone
affected. It is Christmas, even if all you can spare is a 10......
0870 -6060 900

OR online visit www.dec.org.uk to donate online

*** Further announcement - banks etc will NOT be charging the usual clearing fees for donations made by credit card***
***Lastly it was announced today that the POST OFFICE will take cash or cheques
over the counter as donations***

Hmmm yes that's one factor that has been noted by the media also,
I suppose it could be said that if the dept heads are doing their
jobs adequately the 'CEO' isn't necessarily required - but it does tend
to look just a tad better if he's seen to be around and about!

Just a tad!!

I bet its a freebie opto!

LOL Dave!

Think the best thing anyone is is able to can do is to book a holiday in the area as soon as practical and spend some cash in the local economy.

That's a good point Partridge, but it could be some considerable
time before the tourist industry can get going again.

Heard a local guy on the radio yesterday suggesting there is a misconception about the size of the affected area relative to the whole tourist area (certainly in Sri Lanka and Thailand) - think he said it was about 10%. Good luck with your efforts Bunny - now going off to hold a bucket outside my local Tesco.

Good luck Partridge
:>)

bunny

Thanks for posting the link to dec.org.uk.

I have sent off a donation this morning using that link.

The event is simply unblieveable and of Biblical proportions.

May we never forget our good fortune!

Our local Sainsbury's has a bucket at the end of each check-out desk.

Have now returned after two hours at Tesco. Been holding tins for various charities for over 25 years and never seen anything like it - had to use the bucket for coins and tin for notes. Collected comfortably over 1000. One (unprompted) message from the punters was that Tony Blair is doing himself no good by keeping low profile, hope he digs deep personally in the near future.

Pop your feet up Partridge after your hard work and I'll
get you a cuppa and a sandwich from the tea-rooms. :>)
Great to know people are still responding so generously,
yes Tony hasn't exactly rewritten the diplomatic guide with
steadfastly staying away on holiday has he!

Politically, I sit just to right of Attilla the Hun and would be glad to see the back of Bliar and the rest of his cronies. That said, he does have a right to enjoy his holiday in peace and I can't exactly see why he should feel a need to cut it short.

Hil: I knew I had someone sitting on my right hand and I'm delighted to discover it's you :))

If Blair cut his holiday short he'd probably be accused of publicity-seeking political opportunism. And what can he do to make things better, anyway?

Best keep him out of it and let the heartfelt response from the public speak.

I don't doubt for one minute that Blair hasn't got a hand on whats happening - and no im not a fan. I agree with MM that sometimes the public say it all and this time I feel this is whats happening - and my goodness with what gusto

Yes it's good to see isn't it!
So often all we hear is about the less positive stuff going on
and for once it's a real positive pulling together by people.
Will it last? Well I doubt it, last real public 'pull-together'
I think was Diana's death/funeral etc.
Sad it's always something tragic that brings out the best in people.

Keep the money comming please.

I have been in contact with friends and family in Thailand and all aid is desperatly appreciated.

Well done everyone.

Happy New year

Blair could immediately improve matters and world opinion of Britain by



































Resigning Now rather than later.

Having written the above I am also very impressed by the people of this an other countries coming together to give aid. I hope one of the gains from this horrific event (earth quake) is that people realise we all have more in common than is sometimes admitted and also that there will be genuine attempts to fund and organise the United Nations to be able help in other problem areas and, for the true advancement of those areas not for the gain of the states with largest power base.

To briefly mention methods of Contribution on-line and some benefits. I made a contribution to Medicin sans Frontiere (UK) online to their Indian ocean appeal and they pointed out on their web page that if it was not an anonymous contribution but from a UK Taxpayer, a donation of 25 would to them be worth 32-50 under gift aid charities arrangements. The web was quick, secure , and an acknowledgement was received automatically and transaction was debited to my account within 24 hours. So on-line I think is good.