Chinese community rallies round earthquake appeal

12:59pm Monday 19th May 2008

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A CHINESE community group has launched its own appeal to help victims of the earthquake.

South-East Essex Chinese Association, based in York Road, Southend, wants to raise money for the effort to rescue thousands of survivors buried in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Chairman Tony Law said: "We've put up a poster with a phone number and some money has been pledged already."

He said people had been in touch with him since the appeal was first publicised in the Echo last Wednesday.

He said: "An English lady rang me. She had just come back from that region of China and still has friends there."

Meanwhile, staff at a Canvey primary school, twinned with a school in China, has expressed its concern for their counterparts.

John Houghton, deputy head of Furtherwick Park, said they had exchanged e-mails with Changzhou Beijiao School, in Jiangsu Province, to make sure they were all ok.

He said: "The school is some distance from where the quake struck, so there were no fatalities or structural damage. We've sent them our condolences. Our thoughts are with them, if they have suffered any loss."

He added a Chinese teacher from Changzhou Beijiao School was staying at Furtherwick Park at the moment.

l To donate to the local appeal, contact Mr Law on 07802 571616. To donate to the Red Cross appeal, call 0844 8711111.