Donations poured into relief agencies? accounts yesterday as Bermuda residents emptied their wallets to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Asia.

And a memorial service for the more than 100,00 people who lost their lives in the Boxing Day catastrophe will be held on Sunday.

Bermuda Red Cross yesterday confirmed it had raised $76,000 in just two days.

Helen Wicks, the administrator of the Bermuda Red Cross, said it was the largest amount of money they?d ever raised on the Island in such a short period of time. ?It?s amazing!? she said.

And Government said yesterday it would match up to $50,000 ? a figure that has already been surpassed ? in donations to the Red Cross.

That means Bermuda will give at least $126,000 to help relief efforts.

The Salvation Army?s Canada/Bermuda territory has already committed $1 million towards the relief effort earlier this week, but by noon yesterday had managed to raise another $127,000 in both countries.

It as not known yesterday how many of those contributions had come from Bermuda.

The Island?s newest Asian restaurant ? Thai restaurant Silk ? is staging a special fundraising dinner next week with funds going to victims of the devastating tsunami in Asia.

The announcement came from the restaurant?s managing director, Claudio Vigilante, in tandem with his handing over a $3,200 cheque to the Bermuda Red Cross to support relief efforts across stricken areas.

The dinner at the Front Street restaurant will be held on Sunday January 9 at 7 p.m. with the set menu costing $100 including wine.

Mr. Vigilante said all proceeds from the event will also go to the Bermuda Red Cross.

?This allows residents to come out for a fine dinner and leave with the knowledge they have made a significant donation to helping relieve some of the suffering,? he said.

The $3,200 gift was made possible by staff of the three restaurants Mr. Vigilante runs ? Silk, Fresco?s and Aqua ? donating a portion of their tips and salary while management provided a matching donation. A significant number of employees at the three restaurants come from the region affected.

?This donation to the Bermuda Red Cross represents our desire to do what we can to provide some relief to the millions of victims of this tragedy. The staff and management, along with some friends, pooled their resources at short notice and offer this support. But we will do more,? Mr. Vigilante said.

The Little Venice Group of Restaurants said yesterday it will donate $1 for every patron who dines in any of their restaurants for lunch and dinner for a week from January 1.

Director Teresa Chatfield said donations would be made towards the Bermuda Red Cross and collection buckets would also be placed at all restaurants and at the airport.

Restaurants participating in the drive include L?Oriental, La Coquille, La Trattoria, The Harbourfront, Little Venice, Fourways and Mickey?s.

The memorial service will be held at St. Theresa?s Cathedral in Cedar Avenue, Hamilton on Sunday, January 2 from 11.30 a.m.

Eleven candles representing all the countries effected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami will be lit in memory of those who died, as well as survivors.

A spokesperson from the church said they hoped to have representatives from each of those countries present to light the candles.

Donations towards the Bermuda Red Cross can be made directly into bank accounts on the Island.

Bank of Bermuda account number: 70121565

Bank of Butterfield: 20006060401365-200

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online at: www.salvationarmy.ca or www.salvationarmy.org