My daughter's school has an 18-year exchange relationship with Minami High School in Fukushima. She and her friends were in Fukushima just 5 months ago, and the Japanese girls came and stayed with us last July. It was a wonderful experience for all of them and lasting friendships were made.

Some of the English girls (including my daughter) have heard from their exchange partners. A few have not, which is very worrying. There are currently no lessons taking place at the school, and the gym has been turned into a shelter for 170 refugees from the radiation evacuation zone.

Our school in Grantham has taken the decision that all of its fundraising will be sent directly to the school in Fukushima, so that the teachers and staff can decide how best to spend it in their community, without any of the money being absorbed into charity administration.

If anyone would like to join in with these efforts, feel free to PM me.