People in Medway are praying for friends and family in the Philippines after one of the most powerful storms on record hit the islands.

At least 10,000 people are feared dead following the disaster on Friday.

The Voice contestant Joe Apostol, from Gillingham but who is originally from the Philippines, has taken to Twitter to ask fans to pray for the islands.

The 21-year-old, who made it to the semi-final of the talent show earlier this year, tweeted: "Filipinos who are affected by the storm in the Philippines! Stay strong! God bless."

The former MidKent College student, of Shakespeare Road, moved to the UK from the Philippines when he was 10.

He has also called for donations to be made to the Red Cross Typhoon Appeal.

Father Sean O'Connor, of Our Lady of Gillingham Church said the large Filipino portion of his congregation is praying for their loved ones affected by the storm.

The UN has appealed for £190m to help relief efforts in the Philippines as survivors are in desperate need for food, water and medical supplies.

The Philippines is made up of 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, but the majority of the population live on just 11 of them.

Hundreds of thousands of people had been evacuated before the typhoon arrived, but many of the evacuation centres were unable to withstand the 195mph winds and 15m high waves.

The typhoon then headed west, sweeping through six central Philippine islands and into Vietnam, reaching China on Monday morning.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the UK will be sending the HMS Daring and a transporter plane to aid with the relief effort.

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) group of 14 charities is to launch its own appeal later today.

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