Organisers of a storm relief programme were overwhelmed by how many people donated their time and goods to assist those in Jamaica left devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

BermudAir partnered with the Jamaican Association (Bermuda), Food for the Poor Jamaica and other organisations to transport donations to the Caribbean island, where the Category 5 storm made landfall last week.

Deshay Caines said approximately 5,000lb of donated items, including clothing, toiletries, food and medical supplies, were placed into 300 boxes as of about 2.30pm yesterday.

She added: “The response went very well during the weekend, and today it has been just as good — 300 boxes are bound for Jamaica and 82 new volunteers signed up to help today alone.”

Ms Caines thanked Bermudians for supporting the cause.

She said organisers would “love” to partner with other groups for future donations.

Shernett Caines and Joan Richardson, of the Jamaican Association, were also overwhelmed by support and said it “went beyond our wildest expectations”.

However, they highlighted the severity of the situation in Jamaica.

Ms Caines said one family had only part of a porch left of their home and described how another family had to wade through waist-high water to reunite days after the storm.

Goods began to be loaded on to the BermudAir aircraft yesterday afternoon, and the flight is expected to leave between today and Thursday.

Martin Amick, BermudAir cofounder and chief projects officer, said last week: “It was really amazing and gratifying to see how many people on the island of Bermuda have stepped forward to help. We at BermudAir are just honoured to be a part of that.”

First Church of God is also organising a drive to assist Jamaica, particularly the residents of St Elizabeth parish. More details will be available soon.

The Royal Gazette reached out to BermudAir for details on the flight and whether more are scheduled, but did not receive a response by press time.

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