Moretonhampstead community holds silent vigil and raises funds for disaster relief

Residents of Moretonhampstead gathered in the town square on Tuesday (19 August) to show support for communities around the world affected by war and natural disasters.

Around 40 people came and went during the event, with about 20 staying for an hour of silence from 10am to 11am.

The quiet was briefly broken by Mabely, a curious dog, to the amusement of those gathered.

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At the same time, local volunteers collected donations outside the Co-op, where the community showed their generosity, raising £258 in one hour for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

Organisers praised the turnout and the fundraising effort, which they say reflects Moretonhampstead’s strong sense of community and commitment to supporting those in crisis worldwide.

Lucy Patrick, one of the event’s main organisers, said: “People here are very shocked at the plight of communities not only in the Middle East but also Myanmar, Ukraine and other places. As a fortunate, tight knit community we wanted to show our empathy for these people and also raise funds for the DEC to give them some practical support."