Rotary Club members in Deal and Sandwich are appealing to Mercury readers to help people left homeless by the devastation in the Philippines.

According to the latest United Nations estimates, more than 800,000 are without a roof over their heads since Typhoon Haiyan, the biggest storm ever, hit the country.

Today (Thursday) members of the Rotary Club of Deal will be outside Marks and Spencer in Deal High Street from 9am until 6pm collecting cash to buy ShelterBoxes.

The club’s public relations officer Stephen Misson said: “We will be rattling our boxes and also have a ShelterBox on display, so people can see how the money will be spent.

“We are a registered charity, so please give generously to help. The boxes cost £590 each and provide at least one family with shelter and vital equipment. We need to collect as much as we can.”

Donations can also be made c/o Dunkerley’s Hotel and Restaurant, Beach Street, Deal, CT14 7AH.

ShelterBox has launched an emergency appeal and 504 tents were due to arrive yesterday (Wednesday).

David Robertson, of the Rotary Club of Sandwich, said donations to help people in the disaster area could be handed into the Bell Hotel on The Quay, where the club meets.

He added: “We have all been horrified at the events in the Philippines and no doubt the generosity of local people will be apparent in response.

“If you are wondering how to help then donations to your local Rotary club or direct to ShelterBox might be a solution.”

Money can be sent to the Rotary Club of Sandwich either to the secretary, Tony Cook, 35 Kinson Way, Whitfield CT16 2FB, or to Paul Graeme, Brooklands, Manwood Road, Sandwich CT13 9JU.