A Largs man has helped provide a new family home for three homeless children following the Phillipines typhoon in 2013, thanks to generous local donations.

Around 18 months ago, Paul Fox launched an emergency appeal after he gave shelter to the boys, made homeless in the storm that killed their father and left their mother seriously injured.

Paul told the “News” that he could not begin to express his gratitude to those who donated — and he is now delighted to say Reymark, Renan and Reniel’s new family home is now finally complete!

Paul, who has been based in Manila for five years, explained: “When typhoon Haiyan hit, the boys were left stranded and desolate. They’d been separated from their family and their home had been completely destroyed. They sat for days without food whilst their surrounding neighbourhood descended into a state of anarchy.

“Once the army started evacuating people I was able to get them to Manila to stay with me until I could find an apartment to rent for them. After only a few weeks of living with me they moved into an apartment to be re-united with their family and were immediately enrolled in school. When they first arrived in Manila they couldn’t read or write nor could they speak any English or Tagalog. It was amazing to witness how quickly they developed. They can now read and write perfectly, speak fluent Tagalog and basic English.

“For the first time in their lives they have a structurally sound home which should have a far greater chance of withstanding any natural disasters whilst also providing them with electricity, tv, running water, bathrooms and proper mattresses for the first time in their province.” Prior to the typhoon, the boys hadn’t been attending school because they were being sent out to work on the rice fields for 100 pesos (£1.50,$2.25) per day. The negative influence behind this has now been removed from their lives and they’ve been enrolled at their local school.

Paul added: “I have met with the principal to request all attendance records and report cards be sent to me to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

“The boys now have a brighter future ahead of them & it wouldn’t have been possible without the donations from my friends and family.” Paul, a trader with sports and betting brand Bodog, was so taken by the children’s plight that he took them into his care and launched the online appeal.

His initial target of £2,500 was quickly surpassed as friends and family in Largs and farther afield responded to the appeal. A total of £4,237 was raised by 88 people in 29 days.

Messages of support were left by people making donations, with many praising him for his humanitarian actions.