Agency HQ destroyed in the Haiti earthquake
Published 20 Jan 2010 08:00
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CHARITY workers are still waiting to hear if colleagues survived the devastating Haiti earthquake.
Staff at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency UK (ADRA), affiliated to Newbold Church in Binfield, heard that their Haiti headquarters had been destroyed when the 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean island on Tuesday last week.
Victor Hulbert, from Wildridings, who works as ADRA director of communications, said they had heard the Haiti director was safe, but were still waiting for news about other charity workers.
He said: "I think there was general shock in terms of an earthquake of that magnitude.
"ADRA has been working in Haiti for 20 years and our headquarters there was actually destroyed in the earthquake but our country director was ok."
Aid was sent out to the Dominican Republic and then driven over to victims. Mr Hulbert added: "We sent nine truckloads in across the border on Friday carrying things like water purification equipment and they have got tents and accommodation for 800 people to start with.
"People are able to donate to our appeal through Newbold Church's website: www.newboldchurch.org";
Churches and organisations across Bracknell have been pulling their resources together to send cash and relief aid to victims of the earthquake - which is estimated to have killed 200,000 people.
Members of Easthampstead Rotary Club sent out two shelter boxes to the region which will house up to 20 people.
Peter Boltwood, chairman, said: "We will as a club consider what other help we can give in terms of water purification boxes, giving clean drinking water."
Churches in Bracknell also rallied round to raise funds for the disaster by holding emergency collections on Sunday.
At St Joseph's RC Church in Bracknell town centre £1,400 was raised with a further £725 coming from worshippers at St Margaret Clitherow church, in Hanworth.
Mary McNab, parish secretary at St Joseph's, said: "We did not give them any notice of this collection, but people came and were extremely generous.
"We will probably continue with our collections. I think that everyone is wanting to do what they can to help."
Simon Benham, senior pastor at Kerith Community Church, Church Road, said: "Next Sunday we are going to do an offering for Haiti. We will be channelling the money through the charity Tearfund. We are also donating from the general church fund. I think the disaster has shocked everyone. You see all the pictures of the bodies in the street and they are horrific.
He added: "It is a week of prayer at the church this week and we will be praying for them."
This article appeared in Bracknell News 20 Jan 10
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