Sheppards help raise K170,000 for typhoon victims

Caption:  Sibblings Emma and Amy Sheppard posing with fans

Caption:  Sheppard Band siblings  entertaining on stage

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 15, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE night was filled with hearts willing to give to a worthy cause, as the Sheppard Band made a huge impact at the fully booked Dynasty Restaurant to raise funds for the victims in the Philippines of Typhoon Haiyan on Friday night in Port Moresby.

A total K170,000 was raised from the proceeds of the concert, which saw an attendance from many in Philippines community, locals, and other expatriates who all rallied to raised the much needed funds.

There was a whole list of sponsors that donated in one way or the other from all business sectors in the city to politicians and state owned entities, with all 38 tables all booked out at K5,000 a table.

Statistics have put the typhoon as being one of the worst human calamities of the century.

According to the latest update released by the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday, a total of 3,424,190 fammilies (16,076,360) were directly affected by Typhoon Haiyan, across 44 provinces, in 591 municipalities and 57 cities.

National Authorities are still updating overall casualty figures, which now stand at 6,009 people killed, 27,022 injured and 1,779 missing.

The total number of displaced families stands at 838,811, of which 3,927,827 people are served inside and outside evacuation centres.

A total of 101,646 persons are being housed in 383 evacuation centers, as 1,139,731 homes have either been damaged of destroyed as a result of he typhoon.

Filipino Association of PNG President Roel Sta Cruz expressed his gratitude to the Sheppard Band for their participation along with the host of sponsors that made the event possible.

“It will take a while for devastated families to rebuild their lives but Filipinos are resilient people.”

“You can see that Filipinos are people of faith and hope and those knocked down by this calamity will rise up and move on to rebuild and reconstruct their affected areas.”

“With the help of our friends here in Papua New Guinea and the international community, and of God, our people will overcome and shall be successful,” he said.

He told those present that there presence and generosity would make a difference to give the people back home hope.

Speaking on behalf of major sponsor Young and Williams law firm, and father of Sheppard siblings George, Amy, and Emma Sheppard- Greg Sheppard thanked everyone for their support, reminding them not to forget the real reason behind the event.

“The images that emerged from the disaster were simply heartbreaking.”

“We needed to do something and anything to help.”

“In addition to the charity we also send an unspoken message to those affected that with every small act of charity that do not despair because help is on the way,” he said.

Philippines Embassy Consul Pablito Mendoza said on behalf of his countrymen the immense contribution everyone involved had made towards making the victims Christmas and those in PNG truly meaningful.