Efforts to support Jamaica in the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa have resulted in the donation of more than 40,000 pounds of supplies.

While campaign organisers Operation One Love and the Jamaican Association of Bermuda have said they are no longer collecting items for the relief effort, volunteers are still needed to prepare the supplies to be shipped.

A campaign spokeswoman said that volunteers are needed between 10am and 6pm tomorrow and on Wednesday at the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church Youth Centre on King Street to move boxes, sort pallets and prepare the goods for transport.

She added: “We are especially in need of a forklift to support the loading process. Any individual or organisation able to provide one is asked to contact the team immediately.”

The relief cargo flight is expected to depart shortly after the completion of packing and staging.

Distribution in Jamaica will be handled by trusted on-the-ground partners to ensure supplies reach affected families quickly and safely.

The Bermuda–Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Relief Airlift project was launched after the hurricane battered the Caribbean island as a powerful Category 5 storm.

A BermudAir craft packed with nonperishable food, bottled water, clothes, shoes, toiletries, bedding and tools collected through the campaign flew to Jamaica on November 4.

Dwayne Caines, one of the co-ordinators of the relief effort, said: “The heart of Bermuda has always been its people.

“This effort has shown what can happen when we move together with purpose and compassion.

“Bermuda has stepped up in a major way — and Jamaica will feel the love.”

Yackeisha Weir, the president of the Jamaican Association of Bermuda, added: “This mission would not be possible without the overwhelming generosity of our community.

“We thank every donor, every volunteer and every partner who has come forward.

“Now we ask for your help one more time to get these goods packed, loaded and ready to fly.”