A JERSEYMAN has raised almost £6,000 to help devastated communities in the Philippines that were hit by a typhoon.
Max Nicolas lost his house on the southern island of Siargao last month during the powerful storm and wants to provide basic necessities and shelter to those living there.
Mr Nicolas, who grew up in First Tower, has set up a GoFundMe page, which raised £1,000 in 24 hours, with the total standing at over £5,700 as of yesterday – more than halfway towards his £10,000 target.
Super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, killed hundreds in the country and particularly affected Siargao.
Mr Nicolas said the funds would initially be used for food, water and tarpaulins, and later used for more permanent infrastructure for islanders to replace their roofs.
The 31-year-old said: ‘I really appreciate all the support from home.’
He added that the money raised was going to be a ‘huge help’.
And speaking to the JEP last month, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, Mr Nicolas said: ‘The village that I stayed in got completely obliterated. I am trying to help. These people are like my family.
‘I have been here for quite a long time, and got close with a lot of people. It is difficult to watch the whole community get destroyed.’
Mr Nicolas has been living in the country for the past four years, and had set up a tour company bringing tourists to less-visited parts of the island, to take part in traditional crafts and weaving. However, the impact of Covid on tourism meant he was forced to close his business.
The former Haute Vallée student said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to see islanders trying to rebuild after having everything wiped out.
