St. David's Relief Fund to within striking distance of its $55,000 target.

But according to trustee, Rev. Don Moore, more money may still be needed as residents of St. David's whose homes were hit by a freak tornado last month continue to discover they are under-insured.

"We are getting into a grey area. People are slowly finding out they are under-insured, so we may now need more than $55,000 to cover the cost of the damage,'' Rev. Moore explained.

He said a total of about 20 homes suffered damage from the tornado, which whipped across the southern tip of St. David's on March 21.

The fund was boosted this week by three donations amounting to over $10,000.

The Bank of Butterfield and the Bermuda Electric Light Company each donated $5,000 and Belco employees gave $315 raised through a bake sale. The fund now stands at $46,000.

"We are overwhelmed at the amount of money we have received from the community,'' Rev. Moore said. "It speaks well of Bermuda and its people -- especially considering we are in a recession.'' As an example of how local residents have pulled together to help St. David's islanders, Rev. Moore said St. George's Secondary School students were asked to each give 50 cents towards the fund, and between them raised a total of $200.

The fund will help pay for relocation expenses for a handful of families whose homes were so badly damaged they could not live in them, and to those in need of home furnishings, clothing and other personal items which were destroyed in the tornado.

Capt. Rick Pollard of the Salvation Army is working with families whose homes were worst hit and who are most in need.

He noted that trauma brought on by the destruction of the tornado was beginning to show.

"They are beginning to show emotion and realise the extent of the damage caused by the tornado,'' Capt. Pollard said. "The other day I was with a lady who broke down and cried -- her house was nearly destroyed and the strain finally got to her.'' Seven families have been temporarily located while their homes are being repaired, Rev. Moore said. He added there were young children in only two of those families.

FUND BOOST -- Managing director of Bermuda Electric Light Company, Mr. Alf Oughton (left) presents a cheque for $5,000 to trustees of the St. David's Relief Fund, Rev. Don Moore (centre) and Capt. Rick Pollard. The fund, which now stands at $46,000, was set up after a tornado hit St. David's last month.

The Bank of Butterfield and Belco employees also made donations to the fund this week.