Bermuda has taken just over a week to raise a staggering $250,000-plus for victims of the tsunami tragedy in southern Asia.

And yesterday one charity leader praised the Island's generosity as “overwhelming and gratifying”.

The bulk of the cash raised has poured in through the Bermuda Red Cross, which has managed to raise $200,000 for the relief effort. Director Ann Spencer-Arscott said the phones were constantly ringing with people wanting to donate funds.

“The response has been overwhelming and gratifying at the same time. To think that Bermudians have been this generous in only nine days,” she said.

The Bermuda Help Sri Lanka Fund has raised $30,000 since it was set up at the weekend, helped by a $25,000 donation from the MarketPlace grocery chain.

And in a burst of fund-raising activity at the weekend, the Salvation Army raised $7,000 in Bermuda. So far the Bermuda/Canada Salvation Army has raised $750,000 in donations since the disaster struck on Boxing Day.

The Bermuda Government has also pledged $50,000 to the appeal.

And Islanders are finding other ways to raise desperately needed cash for the millions affected by the disaster.

High stakes poker players might be good at keeping their cards guarded, but not their hearts after they donated all their winnings to the Red Cross fund in a special charity game last night.

Charity Poker games are held every Tuesday night at Flanagan's on Front Street in an effort to raise money for various charities on the Island and up to 40 players pay to play.

It's a bit of fun for a good cause acAccording to Flanagan's General Manager, San Bezant, who said they decided to donate the $2,000 towards the tsunami relief effort because the situation in the South Asian countries was so desperate.

A special quiz night will be held this evening at 8 p.m. at Flanagan's and the money will be donated towards the Bermuda Help Sri Lanka Fund.

Silk Restaurant will host a buffet dinner on January 8 for $100 per head with staff, who come from most of the effected areas, donating their time towards raising money for the relief efforts.

A special praise and worship service will also be held tonight at the Wesley Methodist Church from 7 p.m. A special collection will be held and money will be put towards the relief effort in the effected regions.

British Airways is appealing to local residents to dig out their foreign coins that may be lying around and donate them towards the tsunami relief drive.

District Manager, Philip Troake is appealing to locals to drop off their change at their offices on Front Street or on flights.

“We aim to raise $1 million on the world wide network during January for children effected by the tsunamis,” he said.

British Airways will also be helping to organise specific aid flights working closely with the Red Cross and other relief agencies.

Donations to the Bermuda Red Cross can be made directly into the following bank accounts on the Island.

Bank of Bermuda account number: 70121565

Bank of Butterfield account number: 20006060401365-200

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online at: www.salvationarmy.ca or www.salvationarmy.org or can be mailed to:

The Salvation Army Bermuda, PO HM JX 2259, Hamilton, HM 12.

Donations to the ‘Bermuda Help Sri Lanka Fund' can be made directly into The Bank of Bermuda, account number: 1501831875 for Bermudian Dollars, or 1510831875 for US Dollar donations.

On another positive note, the Bermuda Red Cross has sent drafts to the following Red Cross societies in the Caribbean for monies raised through the telethon, denim days, bake sales and end of year donations from various companies on the Island.

Bahamas Red Cross $5,900

Cayman Island Red Cross $55,000

Grenada Red Cross $25,000

Jamaica Red Cross $20,000

The total sent to help victims of the Caribbean, including the donation of $50,000 from the Bermuda Government was $343,000.

Ms Spencer-Arscott wanted to thank everyone who pledged and made donations to the Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Jeanne Appeals.