Island digs deep for DEC aid appeal

Adds to government contribution

The Manx public donated more than £9,000 to a major charity appeal for east Africa this spring.

Bucket collections were held in towns and villages around the Island over two days in March, in an effort coordinated by the One World Centre.

The £9,200 raised has been sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) for distribution to international aid agencies  working in the region.

It's estimated up to 16 million people in South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are in urgent need of food, water and medical supplies. 

Dozens of residents volunteered to shake buckets, while other local groups, shops and several churches also held collections.

The Manx government has contributed £100,000 from its emergency aid budget to the DEC's appeal.