A telethon designed to raise funds for earthquake stricken Haiti raised more than $80,000 in three hours.

'To Haiti With Love' was the brainchild of the West Indian Association Bermuda and Barbadian Association.

The event was organised by Susan Moore-Williams who is a past president of the West Indian Association.

It aired Monday night on VSB and featured a variety of performances including the steel drum, salsa and African dancing and singing.

The target amount was $100,000 and by the end of the telethon, $83,000 had been raised.

Mrs. Moore-Williams said: "We are still getting funds in. It went fabulously. I cannot give enough thanks to VSB who let us air the telethon, to our main sponsor KeyTech and Wendell Dill the producer; the Civil Service who worked very hard, the Accountant General's office did all the financial aspects and the Department of Communications who did all the back drops and the communication aspects of the event."

She continued: "The performers all donated their services and they were amazing. One of the things that I was absolutely blown away by was the level of talent that came out. We had Bermuda's finest. The volunteers who came out were great. We had to tell people 'thank you, but we have enough'. They assisted in every single way that they could."

Mrs. Moore-Williams said she wanted to give a big thank you to Premier Ewart Brown for launching the event. She added Dr. Brown and his wife Wanda not only gave a donation, but agreed to match whatever was raised by a private Civil Service fundraiser for Haiti.

The organiser said the event was streamed internationally by a Trinidadian company. She thanked the Berkeley Institute for hosting the telethon.

"I also want to particularly thank the Haiti telethon coordination committee. They were awesome and assisted in all areas. We also want to thank all of the places that donated food Wilks Catering, East Meets West and Harvey's.

"We have had support from every aspect of this Country. When I think of how much people already gave, it's amazing that they were still committed to give. I am astounded. I think we will be able to meet our target in the end. We're very, very, very pleased."

The deadline for funds has been moved to Friday, March 19. People can donate via HSBC or Butterfield Bank, online or in the banks.

The number for HSBC is 010221125008 and Butterfield is 20006060808587100.

Residents can also donate at the Accountant General's cashiers on the ground floor of the Government Administration Building.