CONCERNED residents descended in droves on a Haringey community hall yesterday to donate emergency aid to Haiti.

More than 50 large black sacks were filled to the brim with non-perishable goods, including clothes, toilettries, food, mosquito nets, sleeping bags, toys and first aid equipment.

The collection, organised by United Haitians in the UK (UHUK) at The Hut, in Netherton Road, will be sent to Haiti as soon as flights become available.

UHUK chairwoman Carole Attis, 33, from Haringey, who has an uncle, aunt and four cousins in Port-au-Prince, described the response as "amazing".

She said: "I have been really impressed by people's response, not only in terms of donating goods, but also in terms of their time and energy.

"It has been amazing, better than I could have possibly imagined."

Miss Attis, who moved to the UK from Haiti ten years ago, has not yet heard if her family survived the earthquake.

She hopes to fly to the country on February 12 if the airport is open.

"It is hugely worrying," she said. "I've lost weight, I can't sleep or eat. If I eat I just feel sick.

"The worst part is the waiting and the not knowing. All we know is that they have no facilities and the aid is not getting through.

"Survivors are dying of starvation and injuries. They need to clear the roads and give the aid vehicles access."

Michel Philistin, 68, from Queen's Road, Bounds Green, has a brother, sister, daughter and grandson in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

They were all "safe", he said, but currently have no electricity or running water.

He added: "It is worrying me a lot. It is a big headache for me.

"I hope to go over, but it is very difficult to get there at the moment. Even the Red Cross is struggling."

Mr Philistin's wife, Geanne Apollon, 65, has around 15 close family members in Port-au-Prince, who lost their house in the quake.

He added: "My wife has to take tablets because she is so worried about them. She can't eat or sleep. It's terrible.

"They are not seriously injured, but they need food and shelter.

"The country is in a terrible state."

Lena Pamphile, 35, chairwoman of Community Progressive Vision, which runs The Hut, agreed to lend the space to the UHUK beacuse the cause was "so very important".

She said: "What happened broke my heart because I'm from the Caribbean and it reminded me of how I would feel if my family was affected in this way.

"It pulls at my heart so much I can't even watch the news anymore."