TENS of thousands of pounds have been thrown into collection buckets across York as residents responded to the tsunami disaster with amazing generosity.

"People have been fantastically generous," said Oxfam area manager Libby Desforges, who went out with other volunteers on New Year's Eve and collected £1,350 in 90 minutes from revellers gathering near York Minster.

"People talk about compassion fatigue, but this proves it isn't true. People were giving £20 and £10 notes."

She said there had been a similar response at the city's Oxfam shops, with £5,000 handed over at the Goodramgate outlet alone.

Boots in Coney Street received £4,500 in donations, including loose change from many customers, and £1,000 raised by someone who went round Naburn doing a door-to-door collection, said manager Jean Lowe.

Another £317 was handed over by Paul Milliner, concerts secretary at South Bank Social Club, who said the money was raised by members, associates and guests on New Year's Eve and subsequent evenings after a bucket collection was launched. "People were throwing notes in," he said.

Customers at Tesco's Askham Bar store have already donated more than £3,000 through collection buckets placed near the tills. "I am absolutely amazed at people's generosity," said manager Peter Fay.

At Safeways in Haxby, customers donated £900 to the appeal in just two days, said manager Mick Goodall. "There has been a fantastic response," he said.

Meanwhile, staff at the York office of a bartering organisation have been working over the holidays to give Yorkshire firms a chance to help the tsunami appeal.

Bartercard York, based in Heworth, has teamed up with the British Red Cross so that firms can give help, knowing it will be put to good use and reach those most in need. Brokerage director Chris Bradle said: "We are willing to take donations of goods and services from any local company and will then put that to use in one of two ways.

"If the items donated are of direct benefit to the victims of this disaster we will work with the Red Cross and the international Bartercard network to get those items directly to the devastated areas.

"If the items are not of direct use we will put them on our auction site and all the money raised will then be donated to the Red Cross so they can buy the items they need most."

Donations can be paid by phonng 01904 430444 or email info@bartercard-york.co.uk.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, January 04, 2005