A big-hearted Scot has reunited a Filipino family left devastated by last month’s typhoon.
The nine siblings were separated after their home was destroyed and their father killed exactly a month ago today.
But Paul Fox, from Largs, Ayrshire, found the grateful children and their mother a new home before he left capital city Manila to come home for the Christmas season.
The 32-year-old, who has lived in the Philippines for four years, took in three of the children when he heard about their situation and set up an online fundraising page.
Around £4,000 has been raised so far, allowing Paul to find rented accommodation for the family while a new house was being built.
They moved into the apartment last Sunday.
Paul, who works in the online gambling industry, explained: “The area I live in was unaffected, so I wanted to do something to help others who had been affected.
“It’s so corrupt over there that I didn’t want to just hand over money or food, because there’s a good chance it won’t reach the right hands.
“I asked a friend if he knew anyone who needed help and he told me about Janelle, the eldest sibling, who was worried about her family in Alangalang.
“I got in touch with her on Facebook and she said three of her brothers needed somewhere to stay. I have a spare room, so we arranged for them to come to Manila, where my maid and I looked after them.”
Reymark, Renan and Reniel, aged 13, 11 and nine, had been sheltering behind the remaining standing wall of their home when they were rescued.
Their brothers and sisters were living with various people while their mum recovered from her injuries in hospital.
Paul, who has no children of his own, continued: “I moved them all into the apartment on Sunday. They were living in a corrugated steel hut and this is an apartment in a middle-class area, so it’s better than what they had.
“They think it’s amazing to have things like mattresses, a television and a kitchen table.
“The initial rent I’ve paid is for six months, but they might have to stay longer as their province is like ground zero just now.
“It’ll cost a few grand to build a new house for the family, which the donations will pay for, and I also hope to fund the kids’ education as well.”
Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 5,700 people and displaced millions more.
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/5dooso
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