The Tsunami tragedy has touched the hearts of thousands of people in the borough, with a wealth of fundraising events organised by pubs, clubs, churches, schools and individuals.

As the full devastation of the tidal wave disaster in south east Asia continues to unfold, people have dug deep in their pockets to support the victims and help fund aid to the worst-hit areas.

Here is a round-up of some of the many initiatives organised for the disaster appeal:

A BURY businessman is literally putting his shirt on his efforts to raise cash.

Iain Alexander, of Hazelwood Drive, Bury, is auctioning off a signed Manchester United jersey. Now, he is inviting bids from soccer fans which should be in excess of the £550 he originally paid for the shirt 12 months ago. The 27-year-old said: "I would like individuals and businesses to bid for the shirt which is signed by 16 Manchester United players. Because I paid £550 for it, I am asking that bids start beyond that figure. I want to raise as much money as I can for the tsunami fund."

Those interested in buying the framed jersey are invited to make bids which will close on Monday, February 7. Call Iain on 07786 436863.

A NIGHT of 80s music to help the relief effort is being staged at the Hark To Towler in Tottington on Saturday. Live on stage in the Market Street pub are the band Stircrazy, whose members will be donating their fee to the fund.

Landlord Jon Hanson said: "There's some amazing rock music to be heard aside from the band, all of which may just take you back to the dim and distant past. Let's get lots of money to save some lives."

A FUNDRAISING event will be held on Sunday at the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Alfred Street, Bury, from 2pm to 6pm.

A number of bring and buy stalls will be set up selling a variety of goods, including clothes and toys. There will also be face painting and other attractions at the event, organised by Safina Nadeem.

WORSHIPPERS at the Khizra Jamia Mosque in Bury have raised more than £9,200. The donations were collected in just a few days following an appeal by Iman Mohammed Bilal of the Parker Street-based mosque.

MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Bury Irwell Vale are thanking everyone who donated to the Christmas Float Charity Appeal which raised more than £1,300. It has provided enough money to send two Rotary Shelter Boxes full of shelter, cooking and sleeping equipment for ten people with a third box due to be sent to the devastated area soon.

Once empty, the boxes can be used to store and purify water using the tablets provided.

THE Rotary Club of Bury has contributed £1,470 towards Shelterbox which is flying out hundreds of survival boxes, each containing a ten-person tent, ten sleeping bags, a water purification kit, tools and other essentials. In addition, the club has dug deep into its charity account and sent a further £2,000 to the DEC Tsunami Appeal. This money was raised by members throughout the past 12 months.

A CABARET supper dance celebrating Valentine's Day on February 12 at 7.30pm, will be held at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich with performances from the American Drifters band, comedian Max Pressure and Andy Keith, a one-time member of the Karl Denver Trio.

Tickets cost £15, including supper, and can be bought from the Longfield Suite on 0161 253 7227 or 0161 773 7448

A RADCLIFFE restaurant is to host a fundraising four-course meal.

Bury's mayor and mayoress and the borough's two MPs have been invited to attend the event at the Radcliffe Charcoal Tandoori in Blackburn Street. The meal including wine, costing £20 a head, will be served on Monday, January 31 between 6.30pm and 11.30pm. The restaurant says that half the cost of each meal will be donated to the appeal.

Places are still available but must be booked in advance by ringing the restaurant on 723 4870.

MORE than 200 pupils from St Thomas Primary School, in Pimhole Road, Bury, held a sponsored walk around Openshaw Park.

The pupils ended the walk at the Rochdale Road park by releasing 20 balloons containing messages of hope for the victims and their families .

REGULARS at The Church Inn, in Church Lane, Prestwich, held an impromptu collection on New Year's Eve and raised £500.

Landlord Tom Gribben agreed to match the amount from the pub's charity fund and in total £1,000 was donated to the appeal.

FUNDRAISING has continued at Our Lady of Grace Church in Fairfax Road, Prestwich, which has donated money from two collections to the charity CAFOD.

An initial collection raised £3,334, and was made up to £5,437 with a collection at the feast of Epiphany last week. Priest Monsignor John Allen congratulated parishioners on their "marvellous generosity". The hard work has also been carried out at Our Lady of Grace Primary School where £989 was raised.