IT IS exactly a month since the Asian tsunami disaster and the generosity shown by local people towards the victims shows no signs of diminishing.

Individuals, schools and businesses across York and North Yorkshire are continuing to organise fundraising events ranging from raffles and sponsored silences to benefit gigs and club nights.

Children at St Oswald's Primary School, in Fulford, collected more than £3,000 by taking part in a sponsored silence.

All 275 pupils remained quiet for 15 minutes each, which raised about £11 per child and is believed to be the most the school has ever made for a single cause in one go. Pupils at Selby High School have raised more than £650 for victims of the tsunami disaster, collecting donations and spare change from fellow students and staff. The total is still growing with buckets left in the staff room, school library and canteen.

St Aelred's School has now raised £4,465 for Cafod's tsunami relief efforts as money continues to pour in for a one-and-a-half mile sponsored walk the pupils completed last week. Head teacher Dave Horton said children and parents had "done a great job".

Fulford School is hailing a week of fundraising activities as a success. The final total has yet to be calculated because money from a sponsored walk, pictured below, is still coming in, but it is likely to be more than the £5,000 target.

Schools have also boosted the Evening Press and City of York Council York Aid appeal, which currently stands at about £56,000. Carr Junior School gave £352.86 while Joseph Rowntree School raised £1,414.11.

This weekend, local band Blind Alley are playing a set of retro and rock covers from the 1960s and 1970s at the Carlton Tavern, Acomb, on Sunday, at 7.30 pm, to raise cash for the appeal. Admission is free with a buffet provided, but there will be collection buckets and a raffle.

For those who prefer their music a little more up to date, Toffs nightclub, in Toft Green, is hosting a benefit event called Fives Save Lives on Sunday, from 7.30pm to 2am. DJs from York College's Access To Music and dance collective Freakin will take to the decks and there will be live music from acts such as Chris Helme and The Circles. Entry is £5.

Tickets costing £5 are still available for a gig at The Winning Post, in Bishopthorpe Road, on Saturday, in aid of the newly-formed Steve Magson Trust. You can buy them from Feel The Steel, in Micklegate; Noctule, in Gillygate, or on the door. Under-18s are welcome and encouraged to attend as the event will be a family affair with a strict ID policy.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, January 26, 2005