CHARITIES around York and North Yorkshire are raising money to help the millions of victims struggling in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.

Aid workers need a constant flow of cash to supply medication, food, blankets and water purification tablets to survivors in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and Indonesia.

Oxfam shops are currently accepting cash and credit card donations.

Jonty Davies, manager of the Oxfam shop in Goodramgate, said her store collected £900 yesterday, with customers making donations.

Mrs Davies said: "People were so generous. It's been the quickest response to an aid appeal we have ever had.

"People were bringing in their Christmas money and saying they wanted us to have it - everything from a £2 donation up to £200.

"There were young people and old people. This disaster has just affected everybody."

Kate Frankish, from Oxfam Homeware, in Micklegate, said: "People have been very generous, but we need as much money as possible as it seems the number of deaths keeps on rising."

The British Red Cross in York is asking people to donate through the Disasters Emergency Committee, which is a consortium of the major charities. Money will be used to buy supplies to aid the people who survived the tsunamis, but now need shelter, water and medical supplies.

Donations can also be made at the British Red Cross shop in Harrogate.

The Salvation Army has had aid workers on the ground since the tragedy, and is raising money to get vital supplies over to them.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds has launched an appeal for the church in Sri Lanka.

Through the appeal fund, churchgoers and parishes in the twinned Diocese of Ripon and Leeds can give directly to help relief efforts by partner churches on the disaster hit island.

Close ties have existed between the diocese and the Anglican church of Sri Lanka since a twinning arrangement was set up in 1988.

The bishop, the Right Rev John Packer, said: "Now is the time when our close ties with Sri Lanka must count."

Gifts can be sent directly to the Bishop's Fund for Sri Lanka, Bishop Mount, Hutton Bank, Ripon HG4 5DP, with cheques made payable to Bishop of Ripon and Leeds D Account. All gifts will be channelled directly to the Diocese of Colombo.

A spokeswoman for York Minster said discussions were underway over the possibility of a fundraising appeal.

Yesterday, The Evening Press carried an appeal from UNICEF to help the children affected by the disaster.

To make a donation send a cheque, payable to UNICEF UK, to UNICEF UK, South Asian Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 1800, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S64UG.

To donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee, phone 0870 6060900.

To donate to the Salvation Army's South Asia Disaster Fund, log on to www.salvationarmy.org.uk/give or call 0800 028 7744.

Updated: 10:23 Thursday, December 30, 2004