How the Nottingham community is supporting Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

On Tuesday 28 October, Jamaica was hit by a category five hurricane, with winds of up to 180+ mph. Hurricane Melissa stood out from previous storms because she was slow-moving. Some people were still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, which struck last year, and Melissa has now set them back even further. 

It’s reported that following the hurricane, 75% of the island was affected in some way. The west has been hit hardest. Some people have lost everything, and it’s reported that families, mostly in the west and north of Jamaica, lost everything they owned, including their homes.

Homes have been washed away, or underwater, trees uprooted and destroyed, tourist attractions, churches, hospitals, schools are unrecognisable, crops ruined, bridges and roads underwater or washed away and animals killed. Before she finally hit, many people had to move to places of safety away from the coast or areas likely to flood. The devastation has been greater than expected, and it will take Jamaica a long time to recover. Sadly, some people have lost their lives, and many are still unaccounted for, although this is improving.

Aid has been pouring in from abroad, but some towns in the mountains are still hard to reach and remain cut off. People are still trying to contact family members as parts of Jamaica remain without power, food, or fresh water.

The Nottingham community is coming together in various ways to support, and we had the opportunity to speak to a few organisations, individuals, and groups to see what they have been doing/are doing, and why.

Colin Mitchell and Luke Powell

Colin Mitchell: Growing up in the area has affected me the most, and it has given me the strength and encouragement to help those in that area, because they were the worst hit. That appeals to me, knowing what it is not to have a lot in life, that we take for granted, and the little that they have, to lose it all, you can’t rest, and you feel that you’ve got to do something about the situation that they’re in.

Another gentleman approached me with the idea of actually trying to help these people up in the mountains, who haven’t received any aid, and I know they are suffering because it’s close to my heart. We decided to send relief to these areas, especially to those who are badly hit and seem to be forgotten about or haven’t been able to reach them.

So we decided to ask the public and businesses for donations. First, we said clothes and everything that we could send to help.

I was overcome by the response from the local community and further afield, i.e., from Sheffield, who made several trips to donate food and clothes. The message seems to have spread quickly. Companies like Costco donated water, etc., and a local pharmacy in Long Eaton donated over-the-counter medication, nappies, toiletries, and 100s of sanitisers.

The response has touched my heart. 

The other company we decided to do this with in London, the success in Nottingham meant that we contributed to 95% of the container itself. We took transit vans, a Luton van, and a 7½-tonne lorry. We had to leave some things behind.

We have a lot of clothing to go into the next container (January 2026), so we’re now asking for donations of non-perishable food, hand tools, nails, screw drivers, etc.. That’s our aim for the next container.

I want our people to feel wanted and to know that they’re not forgotten.

ACNA Centre – St Ann's:

Tony Foster: We are working in collaboration with JML International and The Voice newspaper. We have had a lot of donations, and the phone is always ringing. We are collecting and accepting everything except clothing and shoes. We are accepting non-perishable food, toiletries and tools. Everything collected from here will be distributed equally to the needy.

This has been supported by the diverse Nottingham community, and someone has just delivered a chainsaw from Lincolnshire. 

For the love of my people and Jamaica. I saw the devastation, and anything I can do from this end, I will do. I can see this lasting past the New Year. I will find means and ways to continue to support for years. 

New Generation Church 

Elizabeth Cowen: We are continuing to provide spiritual and practical (including financial) support to Jamaica via our local contacts. 

We held a fundraising concert at one of our branches in London in collaboration with other churches & organisations. We have raised and donated funds locally at New Generation Church, Nottingham, which have been sent to support the repairs of churches & homes of the communities affected.

Our local and national church communities have donated essentials that will be sent directly to our headquarters in Jamaica. Members of the Jamaican diaspora have also been making personal contributions to their families.

We share in the pain and loss being experienced by our brothers and sisters in Jamaica, and as a wider Church community, we have to reach out in times of crisis.

We hope that the relief will go some way toward alleviating immediate pressures by meeting their primary needs until they can get back on their feet. We will continue to liaise with NTA contacts in Jamaica, who will provide ongoing detailed reports & updates on the distribution and rebuilding efforts.

Delroy Young, Cleon Nelson and Lloyd Dunkley 

Lloyd Dunkley: After the hurricane, I thought about what I could do. And teaching salsa, maybe I could put on a dance to raise some money. I thought I could put a dance on for Cuba, but Jamaica was my first priority. 

I spoke to Delroy and Cleon. I thought the more people I could get involved, the wider the spread of people who would get involved. The dance was born purely out of the devastation in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.

Cleon Nelson: Lloyd came to me a couple of weeks ago and said it would be good if we could raise some money for the devastation in Jamaica. 

A lot of people (in Nottingham) will remember Dr Kevin Brown, who resides in Jamaica. I have been in contact with him. It’s our intention to send money through him and Naida, who are on the ground in Jamaica. They give the money raised to organisations they feel need it. 

It’s our intention to donate money based on what we raise. We all have connections in Jamaica, and this will be our opportunity to help raise and send money to organisations in Jamaica. 

Delroy: My intended outcome of all this, in reference to the disaster appeal, is to continue to support wherever stuff is needed in Jamaica, as this will be a long-term solution by means of helping to rebuild Jamaica in whatever way I can. Whether it be rebuilding someone’s home, school, college, etc, as many hands make light work. So I intend to do anything I can to support this, and I’m looking forward to holding monthly functions in 2026.

Some of our local councillors (Cllr Audra Wynter, Cllr Diana McKenzie, Alderman Merlita Bryan, Reverend Clive Foster, and others – Jam UK) are working to provide long-term support for Jamaica and will inform the local community of their plans shortly.

Some up and coming events and places to donate:

- Donate to ACNA Centre ring: 07871 730 197

- Donate new/unused clothing – Sherwood Enterprise, Mansfield Rd, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 2FB: Tuesday 1-6pm, Wednesday 3-8pm or Thursday 1-6pm.

- Colin Mitchel and Luke Powel (after Christmas for 14/01/2026) 07365 491880 or 07976 756738

- Contact Pastor Nathan John Lewis-Gordon, NGC NTA, Nottingham via the church’s website, Email:  ngcnottingham@outlook.com; Tel. No, or you can make a financial donation at https://www.ngcnottingham.com/give.

The above are just a few events and opportunities to donate money, items and non-perishable food. Other local churches, individuals and organisations have had events and are planning events that will take place in the next few weeks, over the next few months and throughout 2026 and beyond, to provide immediate relief and long-term support for the people and the rebuilding of Jamaica.