Many thousands of pounds are still coming into the Tsunami appeal with no end in sight to the fund-raising.

Across the area young and old are donating what they can afford - with more than £20,000 put into collecting buckets at three supermarkets alone, and with young children emptying out their money-boxes.

At their churches, their work places and even at the gym, people across the area are pulling out all the stops to keep the momentum going, and many more fund-raising events are planned.

In Otley a committee has been set up in a local pub to bring together businesses, school, musicians, artists and performers to raise money for the Indian Ocean disaster victims.

The OTTER Appeal - Otley and District Tsunami Earthquake Relief - is launching a whole host of fund-raising shows in the town with what organisers say is the biggest ever gathering of local talent.

The appeal will kick off at Korks Wine Bar tomorrow, Friday, with an "electric evening' featuring the GMen, Kwamed and Jeanie and the Boys.

On Saturday, a marathon acoustic afternoon will include performances by Nick Hall & Co, Dave Vermond, Pete Mick and Rick, Northern Lights, Friendly Visit, Chris Smith, McNiece, Kevin Collier, Clive Moyns, Duncan McFarlane Band, Rosie Clegg Band, Waking the Witch, Loose Covers, Bernie, Curfa, Entropy and Helen Brown.

That same afternoon, a variety of entertainers, including dancers, steel drum bands and choirs, will perform outside the Bowling Green.

During the evening fund-raising will continue at the Red Lion with local rockers Orca.

On January 29 the Otley Community Players will restage their Christmas show Jabberwocky at the Courthouse.

Local businesses are doing their bit by donating prizes, including helicopter rides, driving lessons, and free health club membership, for a raffle night at The Junction pub on February 5, featuring live entertainment from The Restless Natives.

Meanwhile local schools are doing their bit on Friday by holding a non-uniform day and selling raffle tickets to raise money.

Jude Caldwell, Junction landlady and fund-raising co-organiser said: "It's fantastic how many Otley people have already come forward to volunteer their time and energy to help victims of the earthquake disaster."

But she added: "We still need great raffle prizes that will raise serious money. We'd like to be able to give away a new car or a laptop computer or something like that, so we are looking to local dealers and retailers who are willing to support this worthiest of causes."

Anyone wanting to help the OTTER appeal should contact Jude on (01943) 463233.

One of Otley's biggest employers Garnett's is donating £4,000 to the cause after the company and its staff joined forces to support the appeal.

The three local Morrisons stores have taken more than £20,000 with collecting buckets at the end of each till. At Horsforth shoppers gave more than £5,000, while shoppers in Guiseley donated £7,000 and at Yeadon the figure was over £8,000.

Also in Horsforth children have been emptying their piggy banks to donate more than £300 to Oxfam.

The children, from Featherbank Infant School, also handed in a heartfelt letter explaining why they were donating the money.

Oxfam volunteer Sheila Dickinson said: "The kids just brought it all in, more than £300 which is brilliant for children so young.

"And they had written letters to the people affected by the tsunami, and written very touching things like 'I hope you have a good life.'"

Pupils at Tranmere Park Primary in Guiseley, are preparing to hold a bring and buy sale and bun sale on Friday.

In Otley young people from Bridge Street Church - known as the Whizz Kids - have held a fund-raising coffee morning.

At the Methodist Church in Burley a total of £1,796 has so far been sent to Christian Aid for the disaster appeal. More than £500 was raised at a Sunday morning collection, with over £600 from a coffee morning and additional donations of £650.

Minister Helen Harrell said: "The size of the donations that individuals gave were very, very generous. We can only say thank you and keep it going, because it is not going to be an immediate solution, it is going to take years."

Meanwhile ambulance station staff from Menston were among those who took part in an energetic fund-raising event.

Employees from WYMAS, West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service got on their bikes last weekend to undertake a 236 mile relay run and cycle ride, visiting the service's 21 ambulance stations during 24 hours.

Also in Menston a charity quiz and disco night at the Malt Shovel raised £1,080.

And at the Generous Pioneer in Burley, more than £400 was raised with a collection among staff and customers.

Health clubs, too, are joining in the fund-raising. A mass sponsored slim is being planned at Karisma in Guiseley and anyone can take part, whether they are male or female, a member of the health studio or not. Weekly weigh-ins will cost £1 each and all the money will go to the tsunami appeal. Anyone interested should contact Karen Fawcett on (01943) 876000.

At Esporta in Cookridge, children will take part in a sponsored swim and aerobics session while their parents take part in a sponsored biathlon. The event, which is open to non-members, will be held on January 30. The club, which is also running a prize draw raffle, can be contacted on 0113 2030000.

The area's villages are also doing their bit to help. A tsunami appeal day will be held at Leathley Village Hall, on Saturday between 10am and 3pm. Further information can be obtained from Judi Pennington on (01943) 461972.

Arthington Village Hall will be open for the next few Sundays between 2pm and 4pm to accept donations of food which will then be passed on to the charity Real Aid. The charity is appealing for rice, tinned fish, biscuits, jam and honey, which will be taken out to the victims of the disaster.

On Sunday, February 6 donations can be dropped off between 9am and 6pm, to coincide with a sponsored walk being held by the village hall social club.

One of the organisers, Anna Lipinska said the walk was open to anyone, whether they lived in the village or not.

She said: "We were organising a village walk anyway just to go and look at the Red Kites

and snow drops - and we thought we have got to turn this into a way of raising money."