A COMMUNITY has rallied round to help the family of a Samoan woman living in the North-East who lost seven relatives during the recent earthquake and tsunami.

People in Stanley, County Durham, were moved when they heard how an aunt and six cousins of Tino Tupou died, and wanted to help.

Mrs Tupou, 62, of Benfieldside Road, Shotley Bridge, County Durham, said: “We are a close family, so it is really bad.

“All of the houses have washed away and so have my grandparents’ graves. There are not the materials there to rebuild.

“It is obviously sad, but as we are a spiritual people, we are not going to be embittered by what has happened.”

The 8.3-magnitude quake struck on the morning of September 29, generating 15ft waves in some areas of the islands.

Residents and tourists fled to higher ground as whole villages were destroyed.

Boats were pushed inland, while cars and people were swept out to sea.

Almost 200 people are thought to have died in Samoa and the surrounding islands.

Mrs Tupou, a mother of seven and grandmother of ten, is the wife of retired Methodist minister the Reverend Ioane Tupou, who is back in Samoa helping people to rebuild their lives.

A coffee morning was held at Towneley Court sheltered accommodation, in Stanley, this week.

Mrs Tupou said: “Samoa is otherwise an idyllic place to live. Some people call it paradise.

“We pray for the strength to rebuild our lives and for the courage to go on. Life must go on. I am grateful for everyone involved in the coffee morning for their kindness. I am quite overwhelmed.”

The morning was organised by friend Eliza Morgan, and the money will be sent to Samoa.

Miss Morgan, 68, of Stanley, said: “We here have so much more compared to what they do, so this is a very simple way to highlight what is happening out there.

“The money we raise will go to where it is needed most.”

To donate, call Miss Morgan on 01207-232761.