"THANK You" was the message today, as the York Aid tsunami appeal was wound up on the two-month anniversary of the disaster, having raised more than £72,000.

The entire York community showed tremendous generosity after the Evening Press and City of York Council launched the fundraising drive on January 4, backed by civic, religious and businesses leaders.

The total raised includes £10,000 from the council, £10,000 from Shepherd Building Group, more than £5,000 from council staff, and thousands from schools, businesses and individuals.

York & County Press, the parent company of the Evening Press, also contributed more than £5,300.

The council said it had planned to keep the appeal open until the end of March, but it was closing early to coincide with the closure of the recording-breaking Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, which is expected to top £300 million.

The DEC decided to end its national appeal because agencies on the ground in tsunami-stricken areas felt they now had enough money to carry out their aid work.

The majority of the money raised in York has already been passed to the DEC and is making a difference in the affected areas. Any further cash will be donated to a charity working to help tsunami victims.

Council leader Steve Galloway said he had been delighted by the city's response to both the York Aid appeal and other fundraising.

"The level of generosity out on the streets and the numbers of people who volunteered to help was remarkable and unprecedented.

"Everyone has done very well and we are confident that the money will be spent wisely to get that part of the world back to normality as soon as possible."

Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said: "To raise £72,000 in a little over seven weeks is testament to the generosity of Evening Press readers, who have once again responded magnificently through cash donations and staging a whole raft of events. It shows that York is not only a city that looks after its own, but cares for people the world over."

FUNDRAISING for the tsunami victims continues across York.

There will be a soul and Motown charity dance tonight at Askham Bryan College, with music from The Soul Society Big Band and a DJ, between 8pm and 1am. Tickets are £15 and can be purchased from event organiser Eugenie, of S2 Public Relations, on 07711 818689.

Aesthetica Magazine is hosting a vaudeville event at Fibbers on Monday, featuring a range of local performers.

Acts include Hayley Hutchinson, Dust Bowl Central, Mike Newsham, and Dan Atkinson, of The Other Side Comedy Club, as well drummers, jugglers, fire-breathing, performance poetry and film viewings. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £5.

Organiser Cherie Federico said: "After the tsunami, we knew that we wanted to do something to make our contribution to helping the survivors and, in the process of doing this, we have involved so many people in York's art, literature, comedy, and music communities to create an event that is very diverse."

Updated: 09:33 Saturday, February 26, 2005