The West Indian Community in Coventry have come together to launch a campaign to raise funds for Haiti. A number of organisations and individuals have been meeting to formulate a plan to offer long term support to Haiti.

Haiti is in the news at the moment and lots of aid is pouring into the country, but in a couple of weeks time people’s attention will have moved onto something else and the people of Haiti will be forgotten. But the situation in Haiti is so dire that they will need support for many years to come. The idea is to establish a long term link with an orphanage or school helping them to rebuild their lives.

Activities and events have already been planned, however a decision on exactly what is to happen with the proceeds will only be made after intelligence has been obtained from a number of people who are visiting the disaster hit country.

Already £291 has been collected from visitors to the West Indian Centre, the first planned event will be held on Saturday 13 February. A number of local DJs are giving their time freely to provide an evening of entertainment, a local reggae band will also be performing. Some local companies have already donated prizes for a raffle to be held on the night.

Anyone wishing to donate clothing (particularly children's clothes), tinned food (including tin openers), non electrical hand tools, cash or cheques should contact the Coventry West Indian Haiti Disaster appeal on 024 76223020 or 024 7655 2929 or 0795651192

Mark's written something about Haiti, Martin Luther King and racism elsewhere on this site. Please also follow this link and sign the petition calling on the UK to lead the world in giving Haiti a fighting chance for the future by cancelling its $890m of international debt.