Contributions from Ilkley people for rebuilding facilities in earthquake-hit Haiti have topped £21,000 in the 20 months since the disaster.

The Ilkley Haiti Fund is preparing for a fundraising effort on Saturday, September 24, in aid of charities helping people on the poverty stricken Caribbean republic.

Fund founder retired teacher Anne Wilkinson says £21,500 has been sent to charities in Haiti since the devastating earthquake in January last year, enabling various projects to continue.

But there is still much to be done, says Anne, who once taught at a school in capital city Port au Prince.

St Joseph’s Home for Boys, destroyed in the earthquake, is now well on the way to being rebuilt, she says. The home at Jacmel has set up a bakery, coffee roasting business and water purification unit.

A major symbol of hope of the recovery is carvings from a fallen oak tree. It saved Bill Nathan of St Joseph’s from being crushed when he fell from a roof. The tree has been carved into a statue of St Michael, along with another carving of Bill playing his drum.

Meanwhile, Louverture Cleary Secondary School has achieved 100 per cent pass rate in the baccalaureate exam this year and rebuilt seven homes in the area.

They have also educated the students to combat cholera and sent products into all the homes to help disinfect the water supply. They are now running an education programme for the youngsters in the neighbourhood, providing food and fun as well as teaching.

Anne says the funding has also provided financial support for two students training to be doctors. A clinic has been opened to provide aftercare for those injured in the earthquake.

Beyond Borders has provided large marquees to house families at night and school rooms during the day, and have enabled children and relatives to be reunited.

Anne said: “All this has gone on whilst the charities have continued to follow their normal programmes of care and education.”

Ilkley Haiti Fund will hold an Afternoon Fruit Pie Tea on Saturday September 24, from 2pm to 4.30pm at Ilkley Baptist Church. Admission is 50p.