THE founder of a charity which helps people in the Philippines has said he is "completely overwhelmed" after receiving donations totalling almost £5,000 which will enable a van burnt out in an arson attack to be replaced.
The Ten Foundations van was set ablaze on Bramcote Street near the Beersbridge Road in the early hours of Sunday October 15.
Police said they are treating the attack as a hate crime.
The van's tyres had been slashed in an attack six months previously.
Among those who made donations was a woman whose car was seriously damaged in the arson attack as it was parked beside the van.
The owner of the car, an artist, sold one of her paintings for £300 and donated the amount to the appeal.
Mr Campbell said: "We had a hire van for a few weeks and now, with the appeal money and a bit put to it ourselves, we are able to buy the van outright. It is a better van than we had before and a bit younger.
"I was completely overwhelmed by the response. We got a donation for £500 from an elderly couple who had seen the story on Facebook."
Ten Foundations has helped to build an orphanage and runs sustainable livelihood programmes to enable women to support their families by making schoolbags with sewing machines purchased by the charity.
People who have been helped by the charity in the Philippines have posted messages of support on Facebook, thanking the "people of Ireland" for donations which have "enriched our lives".
