The Evening Press has been inundated with phone calls from people organising fundraising events and businesses making donations to help the York Aid appeal and national tsunami disaster appeal.

During the weekend, supplies of Harrogate Spa Water jetted off to the Maldives on First Choice flights from Gatwick. An estimated 12,500 Maldivian people lost their homes in the tsunami.

Employees of the Harlow Moor Road company have been calling all the major aid agencies offering to donate water since the tragedy occurred, but none had the systems in place to accept donations in kind. Staff then contacted the Maldives High Commissioner in London, who accepted the offer.

A Live Aid-style concert at the Regen Centre, in Riccall, raised almost £7,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee tsunami appeal. Organiser Gary Rowntree said hundreds of people turned up to the event on Friday night.

"We packed the place out. We thought we would raise a grand and a half but people kept giving and giving. It was a huge team effort."

Bengal Brasserie is hosting three fundraising evenings to help the York Aid appeal. Diners will be able to enjoy a four-course meal and a glass of wine for £15, with all proceeds going to help tsunami victims.

The deal is available at the Goodramgate establishment on January 18 (01904 613131), the restaurant at York Business Park, Poppleton, on January 19 (01904 787770), and at Market Weighton on January 25 (01430 876767).

General manager Iqbal Chowdury said he had been moved to help because of his own experiences of natural disasters in Bangladesh when he was a child.

"I know how these people are suffering," he said. "If I can help a little bit towards what the British people are doing, that is brilliant."

Philip Chapman, of Mitchells Solicitors, in Peckitt Street, off Clifford Street, York, has pledged to donate all fees received from the drawing up of wills over the next three months to the York Aid appeal. Phone 01904 623751 or email postmaster@mitchellssolicitors.co.uk to make an appointment.

Golfers can do their bit on Sunday, January 23, when the Forest of Galtres Golf Club, in Skelton Lane, Wigginton, York, will be donating all green fees to the national appeal. You can book a tee-time by phoning the Pro Shop on 01904 766198.

Meanwhile, Oxfam is looking for help with its fundraising efforts. Its charity shop in Acomb is desperate for volunteers after it was inundated with donations of clothes and goods. Anyone able to help should phone Eleanor Peacock on 01904 785902 or 793973. The charity's three York bookshops have raised £20,000 between them since the disaster. The shops, which are in Micklegate, Petergate and at York Hospital, are staffed by volunteers and are looking for people able to offer four hours a week. Collect an application form from one of the shops or phone 07789 793991 to find out more.

Updated: 11:19 Monday, January 10, 2005