WHAT STARTED out as a small departmental project within Angus Council to help the tsunami survivors led to hundreds of boxes of aid leaving the county yesterday morning.

A week ago the initiative was launched to encourage staff to fill banana boxes with food, toiletries and other items that are taken for granted in everyday life.

With the support of law and administration director Catherine Coull, department chiefs were advised of the project and organisers Cath Bowman, Elaine Whittet and Norma Lawson have been overwhelmed by the response.

“Phone calls came from all departments—schools, resource centres, Tayside police and Forfar infirmary,” said Elaine.

“Children at one Angus school all agreed to bring in a toothbrush, toothpaste and a cuddly toy.

“Environmental and consumer protection staff collected money and bought food, tools and water bottles as well as helping after 5 pm to pack boxes.

“Information technology arrived one evening at 5 pm with bags upon bags of goodies, and many volunteers also arrived each day in Forfar to help with the daily packing.

“Volunteers came from all council departments and it was tremendous to think that so many people were willing to give up their lunch hour and time after work to pack boxes,” Elaine added.

“Six hundred boxes have been individually filled and supplies for another 200 boxes were also collected today by Blythswood (an aid transportation charity), just seven working days after the appeal was launched.

“We believe that is an amazing achievement for all the staff of Angus Council who came together to help, in whatever way they could, the survivors of the tsunami.”

The Blythswood lorry then moved on to Elgin Place, in Arbroath, to gather goods donated in response to a town appeal.