DONATIONS to the Helston-based ShelterBox Trust have passed the £3million mark - just six weeks after the Boxing Day tsunami that devastated parts of South East Asia.

money has poured in from around the country, but much of it has come from Cornwall, and the Helston area in particular, where people continue to hold regular fundraising events in aid of the charity.

The Water-ma-Trout warehouse has been a hive of activity ever since the tsunami struck and almost 5,000 boxes of life-preserving aid have been transported to the devastated region - meaning some 50,000 people have been given temporary homes solely through the efforts of ShelterBox.

Many of the boxes have gone to Sri Lanka, but a recent consignment of 1,000 was sent to Indonesia, following a request from the UNHCR. Two members of one of the special ShelterBox reconnaissance teams are travelling to the country to assess exactly what help is needed.

Meanwhile, a third four-man team is preparing to fly out to Sri Lanka this weekend to continue supervising the charity's work in that country.

ShelterBox founder Tom Henderson said it was hard to believe only six weeks had passed since the tsunami.

"So much has been achieved in that short time," he said. "To have provided shelter for almost 50,000 people is something we, and everyone who has donated money or helped out in any way, can be very proud of. Cornwall seems to have adopted this charity and we are overwhelmed and delighted that the support is still there."