Bermudians have responded to a call to help victims of Hurricane Luis by contributing clothing, food, and money.

Yesterday Purvis Primary School students, with the aid of teacher Mrs. Shirley Christopher held an assembly to collect clothing and non-perishable food stuff for hurricane victims in the Caribbean.

Mrs. Christopher said the idea for the event came from three girls who asked if they could do something for the poor people of the world. Mrs. Christopher said she suggested helping the Hurricane Luis victims.

About two weeks ago the students sent letters to parents, asking them to bring in non-perishable food and summer clothing by yesterday.

Mrs. Christopher told The Royal Gazette : "The response was better than I thought it would be. We didn't know what the outcome would be.'' She explained that during yesterday's morning assembly parents and students brought in between 50 to 80 trash bags full of clothing and an assortment of food.

Mrs. Christopher said the school had suggested items such as canned meats, milk and vegetables to the parents.

"Since we can't afford to send the goods ourselves we will be getting in contact with organisations that are already sending things down,'' she added.

The school has already made arrangements with the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha to send the clothing to the Caribbean islands. Mrs. Christopher said they planned to get in contact with the Bermuda Industrial Union since she heard that they were sending some goods down as well.

Last Friday the Bermuda Red Cross received a $50,000 cheque from the Government toward its Hurricane Luis Appeal. The cheque was immediately forwarded to the British Red Cross stationed in the Caribbean to help rebuild homes.

Premier the Hon. David Saul and Health and Social Services Minister the Hon.

Harry Soares presented Red Cross director Mr. Frank Gamble with the cheque at the Cabinet office.

The Government has pledged to match public donations up to $200,000 and as of last Friday $10,000 had been collected by the Red Cross, mostly from public donations.

"Only one corporate sponsor has donated,'' Mr. Gamble said. "It's been a slow response, but we are grateful for what people have given so far.'' Mr. Gamble attributed the slow response to a lack of media attention on the aftermath of Hurricane Luis.

But he added that he was optimistic that other businesses will follow suit.

The B Company of the Bermuda Regiment also planned to help the Red Cross Hurricane Luis relief effort by holding an "Abseiling Fund-raiser'' in December.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Hurricane Luis Appeal can do so at any bank.

GOOD DEED -- Purvis Primary seven students along with their teacher Mrs.

Shirley Christoper have collected food and clothes for Hurricane Luis victims.