Haiti earthquake prompts Sidmouth woman to collect for home build charity

A SIDMOUTH woman is “over the moon” after raising enough money to build a house.

When Jo Clements, 45, of Manstone Avenue, saw news of the Haiti earthquake two years ago, she decided to raise enough money for Habitat for Humanity charity to build a new home for someone affected by a natural disaster.

Now, following a number of coffee mornings and table top sales, along with soup and song at the Methodist church, and help from local singer Joan Edgecumbe, Jo has raised the �1,235 needed for a home.

“It is wonderful, I’m really over the moon about it,” she said. “I didn’t realise we had reached our target until I rang up to put in another �50 and asked how much more we needed to pay.

“When I was told we’d done it, it was fantastic.”

She said the brick-built house would be for a family of four. “Basic but what people need,” she added.

“People in different countries need different types of housing because in some places a house built one year might be washed away in a flash flood the next. These houses are built to last.”

Jo, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said members of the United Reformed Church had also been involved, collecting 5p pieces for the charity.

Just off to pay another bagful into the bank, she said: “It is surprising how quickly the amount builds up.”

Jo hopes the fund will continue to pay for a second home, and said Joan Edgecumbe has already planned to sing in March for the charity.

*Find out more about Habitat for Humanity at www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk.