A donation centre has been set up in Queen’s Park to help victims of Storm Erika in Dominica. The hurricane killed 20 people and left hundreds homeless on the Caribbean island last month.

Brent & Kilburn Times: The drop-in centre has set up a relief mission (Pic credit: Facebook)The drop-in centre has set up a relief mission (Pic credit: Facebook) (Image: Archant)

Angela Singhate, chair of the Queens Park Community Council and member of a Parent Action Group, set up the relief mission at the centre in Dart Street.

She said: “We heard a shipping company were prepared to send things out for free so just on a whim we sent out a message last week on Whatsapp to say if you’ve got any stuff bring it here, we’ll be here on Thursday and Monday and Tuesday.

“It just took off. It spread like wildfire. People have been coming in droves. On Tuesday we were on door duty saying sorry, we can’t take any more. We are overwhelmed by the support that has come from the community and so inspired.”

Sacks of clothes, linen, medical supplies and medication, purified water, sanitary towels, nappies, linen and food have been donated and organised ready to be delivered to the island by G Shipping Company, which is liaising with the community group.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Claudette Thornton, middle wearing a hat, was on holiday in Dominica shortly before the hurricane (Pic credit: Facebook)Claudette Thornton, middle wearing a hat, was on holiday in Dominica shortly before the hurricane (Pic credit: Facebook) (Image: Archant)

Claudette Thornton, who visited Dominica two weeks before the storm devastated the island, is one of the generous donators.

She travelled from her home in South London to donate some items.

She said: “My mum lives out there and luckily my family are ok. Twenty people have died and hundreds displaced. Houses were literally washed away.

“Dominica is mountainous with 365 rivers which have pretty much overflowed. There was flooding feet high and massive landslides. Houses have split in two. Foundations are not safe. People are desperate.”

Saying that another storm was forecast for today (Friday), she added: “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

Donations are still being accepted in Dart Street but due to the overwhelming bags of clothes the have asked for only medical supplies and foodstuff.

You can make a donation by visiting the centre at 21 Dart Street, Queen’s Park.

To make a cash donation visit Embrace Dominica website here.