An overwhelming number of you who know I was born in Jamaica and still have family there have been reaching out, both in the few days ahead of and now after Hurricane Melissa to check in. In all honesty, it’s been very challenging being here in the UK, unable to support my grandma, who’s still living in the house I grew up in, where 90% of the roof has been destroyed due to the hurricane.

I’ve included some photos showing just how devastating the hurricane has been, with a comparison of what the area looked like in May 2025, when I returned for my grandad’s funeral, alongside a photo of the same area after Hurricane Melissa.

In our small village, located about 45 minutes outside Montego Bay, the roads are blocked, cutting off food and building supplies. Like much of Jamaica, the area is also without electricity, with no clear idea of when power will be restored.

This Category 5 hurricane was one of the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, with wind speeds reaching up to 295 km per hour. The current death toll stands at around 30, but it’s expected to rise as many remote areas remain cut off from essential resources, food, and medical aid.

To do the smallest thing we could think to help, Emma and I have decided to hike or run 295 km each, between the 1st of November and the end of the year, the significance of that number being the hurricane’s wind speed. We are hoping this will help to raise awareness and funds for recovery.

Something that will be quite a feat after having knee surgery earlier this year, but still nothing compared to what everyone in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands are currently going through.

Whilst the priority of this fund is to help repair my grandma’s home, your donations will also go towards rebuilding local roads to restore access and supporting neighbours in the community who aren’t as fortunate, some of whom have seen their entire homes destroyed by the hurricane.

Donations will be deployed either as cash or via the delivery of goods shipped to Jamaica from the UK to ensure it gets to those who need it most.

To be transparent, it’s really difficult for funds to get to where they’re needed most right now given the political situation. With that said, if you’d prefer to donate to a recognised charity instead of this fund, we’d recommend contributing to the British Red Cross Hurricane Melissa Emergency Appeal.

If you’ve been wondering how to help, this is it. Every donation and share will make a difference.