Generous residents of Bradford have donated more than £81,000 to an appeal that is helping people affected by the devastating typhoon in the Philippines.

The money – raised in just two weeks – is among more than £60 milllion handed over by the British public to the DEC Philippines Typhoon appeal, which is providing food, clean water, emergency shelter and medical care to victims.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: “Thank you to people in Bradford who have been remarkably generous.

“It is now just over two weeks since Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the Philippines, yet the public continue to donate generously to the DEC appeal. Survivors of the disaster desperately need a huge amount of help both now and in the months to come, so this money will literally support people to rebuild their lives.

“DEC agencies and their local partners are already there providing hundreds of thousands of people with urgently-needed supplies.”

Bradford’s fundraising total is likely to be boosted this Sunday when former world champion boxer Amir Khan hosts a charity dinner at the city’s Hilton Hotel in Hall Ings.

The event has been organised by Heaton Labour councillor Rizwan Malik, who is also doing a lot of work in helping set up an Amir Khan Foundation which will raise money for charity.

“The typhoon caused massive destruction, so I thought why not combine my charity work with helping set up the Amir Khan Foundation, said Coun Malik.

“Being a proud Bradford lad and having had numerous events in the city, I know how generous the community in Bradford has always been”

He added: “Amir Khan was very supportive and said he would love to come to Bradford and have the dinner here.”

Coun Malik said about 500 guests would be attending the dinner, including representatives of the British Filipino Association of Bradford.

Coun Malik added: “I am hoping to raise about £40,000 to £50,000, although I will not be hugely surprised if we beat that amount.”

To make a donation to the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal, visit dec.org.uk, call 0370 6060900, or donate at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

Concert to help victims of disaster

Ilkley Grammar School is encouraging music-lovers to dig deep next month in aid of victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.

Keiron Anderson, head of creative arts at the school, has arranged for the Phoenix Concert Band to play music from the movies.

The event is on December 12 at the Cowpasture Road school.

Tickets are available from the school’s reception, at £5.