As you will all be aware, the catastrophic hurricane Irma has recently torn its way through the Caribbean, and left chaos and apocalyptic destruction in its wake. It has wiped out homes and businesses, and left many residents desperate and without electricity, running water and food.

Your donations will support people through the region, including in the badly hit British Overseas Territories of the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos.

The UK government have pledged to double public donations to the British Red Cross appeal for victims of hurricane Irma through the Department for International Development's Aid Match Scheme. They will match all donations, pound for pound, up to 3 million.