GENEROUS fundraisers across Hampshire have so far helped to collect more than £20,000 and a whole host of supplies for urgent relief work across southern Asia.

People young and old all over the county have been digging deep into their pockets in support of the Daily Echo-backed Southampton Council of Faiths tsunami appeal.

Clothes, bedding, tents, and children's toys have also been donated, which will be sent directly to Sri Lanka to help those in need in the worst hit areas of the country.

Rev Ian Johnson and Sri Kandiah, members of Southampton Council of Faiths, have been working with volunteers to make sure all the money and aid gets to the tsunami victims as quickly possible.

Mr Kandiah said: "Every penny that is donated to our appeal is a wonderful boost for the relief fund. We are very grateful to everyone who has donated and the people of Hampshire have been superb."

Meanwhile, readers have been ringing the Daily Echo constantly to tell us what they are doing at their local schools, pubs, restaurants and churches to collect cash for relief efforts.

From charity auctions and fairs to sponsored swims and silences, residents and businesses have been doing all they can to help those trying to rebuild their lives in countries spanning the Indian Ocean.

Staff at Hampshire based soft toy maker Russ Berrie have been among the hundreds of fundraisers helping boost collections for our appeal.

The firm has given 5,000 Cubly bears for us to rehome for a minimum donation of £5 each.

So far more than 1,200 have been adopted at our offices in Redbridge, Southampton city centre, Eastleigh, Fareham and Winchester, raising more than £7,500 in just two weeks.

If every bear is sold it will mean we can collect at least £25,000 for long-term reconstruction projects in the areas affected by the Boxing Day disaster.

The bears, which would normally sell for £14.99, are on sale at Daily Echo offices as well as the Russ Berrie European headquarters at Hounsdown business Park, off the A326 in Totton, near Southampton.

Readers can adopt up to two bears each.

During a special visit, the Earl and Countess of Wessex gave our backed appeal the royal seal of approval when they paid tribute to fundraising efforts in the area last week.

They met families who had been directly affected by the disaster, religious leaders and volunteers at the Vedic Hindu temple in Northam.