Government has warned the public to only donate to Haiti through registered charities because they are the only ones who can legally fundraise.

The warning came from the Department of Culture and Social Rehabilitation and Acting Minister Michael Scott who said: "Bermuda is a society that gives from its heart, and we are very pleased to see the outpouring of compassion that has been expressed by residents of Bermuda with regard to the Haitian relief effort.

"At the same time, we want to ensure that funds raised in the name of registered charities do indeed reach those organisations in a timely manner so that they can be funnelled to the Haitian relief effort."

According to a press statement, there are several organisations accepting funds either for or on behalf of registered charities.

In order for this to be beneficial, organisations should have a signed letter of agreement from the charity to be sure that the funds raised will be used for charitable purposes. The Ministry will be working with the Registrar General's office to monitor the fund-raising events.

Meanwhile, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Bermuda Junior Service League have joined the numerous local charities and businesses to donate to Haiti.

The Bermuda firm has raised more than $15,000 in eight days towards relief efforts in Haiti.

The funds were raised by PWC<\p>employees in Bermuda and were matched by contributors from the firm's partner and will be donated to the Bermuda Red Cross.

The funds donated by PWC Bermuda and its staff were in addition to a contribution of $100,000 raised by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the United States.

PWC Territory Senior Partner, Darren Johnston, said: "Our hearts go out to the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. As soon as our staff heard about the catastrophe they immediately began organising fundraising efforts within the firm.

"The compassion and caring of our people was demonstrated by their immediate and unprompted efforts to raise money for Haiti. The PricewaterhouseCoopers network of firms as a whole sets an explicit emphasis on ensuring that we give back to the communities in which we do business. This donation is an excellent example of that commitment."

The Bermuda Junior Service League has given its 'coins for a cause' to British Airways' 'change for good' campaign.

The Bermuda Junior Service League's coins and will be a part of the $500,000 that the airline's campaign is giving to Haiti.

British Airways also donated a B747 flight to Haiti last week plus $40,000 for fuel. The plane was filled with 50 tonnes of cargo including medicines, tents and water purification systems.