FUNDRAISERS at the Daily Echo have helped collect more than £5,300 for tsunami victims across southern Asia.

From taking part in a dress down day to holding bring and buy sales, staff have been busy doing all they can to support the disaster relief work.

Readers and employees at the newspaper's offices in Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh, Fareham and Lymington all joined forces to snap up about 300 Cubly bears for charity.

Staff donated at least £5 each towards the appeal fund, while 580 bears were sold at roadshows.

Hundreds of the bears were given to the Daily Echo-backed Southampton Council of Faiths appeal by Hampshire-based soft toy maker Russ Berrie.

The bears, which would normally sell for £14.99, helped make more than £4,500 through staff sales alone.

Staff feasted on Indian cuisine during a fundraising curry night at Kutis in Oxford Street, Southampton, raising £60 in support of the appeal, which has so far collected more than £35,000 from generous individuals and businesses across Hampshire.

Meanwhile, a bring and buy sale brought in about £330, while a shop donation box collected about £50 for the fund.

Daily Echo editor Ian Murray said: "The plight of the tsunami victims has touched us all. I am delighted that staff here at the paper have been able to join with our readers in helping raise this much-needed support."

Dean Ryan, a member of the Daily Echo's staff council, presented a cheque for £191.76 to Southampton Council of Faiths member the Rev Ian Johnson.

The money which was raised through a dress down day at the newspaper's head office in Redbridge, Southampton.

The Rev Johnson, rector of Southampton city centre parish, said: "The initial rush of donations from wellwishers directly to the Council of Faiths has almost stopped. What has impressed us are the efforts like those of the staff of the Southern Daily Echo in working hard to collect thousands of pounds through lots of small efforts. I congratulate the staff of the Echo on their efforts."