A FUNDRAISING appeal has collected more than £7,000 for survivors of the Japanese tsunami.

An estimated 1,000 people headed to Marlborough School, in Woodstock, this weekend for a two-day celebration of Japanese culture.

As many as 25,000 people are feared dead in the March 11 disaster, but only 13,000 deaths have been confirmed. Many bodies are believed to have been washed out to sea and will never be found.

Professional taiko drummers, special cultural workshops including origami classes and a selection of sushi were on offer to visitors.

Organiser David Lee said his new charity, Helping Hands for Japan, will continue to help those affected.

He said: “I was in Kobe in 1995 when an earthquake struck. Five years later, people were still homeless.

“It is important for us to keep up awareness of what the survivors are going through and to continue to help.

“I am really pleased with how the event went and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.”

Five-year-old Shira Parnes, left, Lilly-Mae Court, three, and Roni Parnes, seven, pick up some drumming tips from Joji Hirota at the Marlborough School, Woodstock