Help the Shorts home St.Maarten

Kate, Ed, Millie, Hugo & Dexter the Doberman have created a new life in St. Maarten for it all to be taken away so suddenly by Hurricane Irma. Although they were prepared for the category 5 hurricane as best they could, no one expected the level of devestation.

They sheltered from Irma in the room they thought was safest but Irma took the shutters and windows leaving them to take refuge in the bathroom. Whilst the house was crumbling around them Ed held the bathroom door shut in attempt to keep his family safe. In the eye storm they were able to secure the bathroom door to brace themselves for another round with Irma. When they ventured out of the bathroom for the first time nothing could prepare them for the sheer total loss. The majority of the house had been taken with Irma leaving them with very little and greatful for Irma sparing them.

Without any supplies the best option was to seek refuge. They packed as much as they could into the car which was luckily still there and attempted to leave. This was made extremely difficult for them as the road was blocked with debris and forced Kate and Millie to get on their bikes to get to safety.

Now in a safe sheltered place they are rapidly running out of food, water and gas for the generator. The communications are very poor so this is making it hard to reassure them help is on it's way. They are registered with the relevant authority's to be evacuated but this is as and when possible. They have not yet been told when anything will happen. Hopefully when this does take place there will be a safe place to leave Dexter for when they can return safely.

I want to plead for the help of family, friends and anyone else to get them home and rebuild their lives. Being the sister of Kate this is heartbreaking and so worrying for the whole family. There is only so much friends and family can do, we wouldn't normally ask for help but it is that bad they have literally nothing left other than a few clothes and their passports. Hopefully they can spend the money to help rebuild a new life once they are safe. When we reach our goal I will send dontations to Kate and Ed. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. 

Catherine Rebecca Whitty from Grappenhall, Warrington (Kate Shorts sister)