Public respond generously to west African Ebola crisis

Over £10 million has been raised in just five days by the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) west Africa Ebola appeal.

The figure was reached after the UK government matched the first £5m.

Launched last Thursday, the appeal is unprecedented in that it is the first time the DEC has responded to a medical emergency.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said the group wanted to thank "each and every person who has given", and also thanked the government for its "significant boost".

"Our member agencies have already achieved so much - providing protective clothing, educating communities and supporting safe and dignified burials - but there is so much more to do," he said.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen had also made a donation to the appeal, but did not reveal the amount.

The DEC said it had already helped more than 2.5 million people affected by the Ebola outbreak, which has killed nearly 5,000 people, nearly all in West Africa.