A FUNDRAISER has been launched in memory of a charity worker in died in the Tonga tsunami.

Angela Glover, from Brighton, died trying to save her dogs after an undersea volcano erupted near the Pacific island on Saturday.

Her friend Astrid Edwards has now set up a Gofundme page to help raise money for local aid and relief efforts.

Astrid said in the description: "I am doing this in memory of my friend Ange who was tragically swept away when the tsunami hit.

"Ange was one of the smartest, sunniest, funniest and above all unbelievably kind friends one could ever know and I will always remember her.

"Love and strength to all at this terrible time suffering in this aftermath and to all that knew and loved beautiful, joyful Ange.

"She will be so missed. May Tonga get the help to repair and thrive."

The large underwater volcano erupted on January 15, flooding homes and cutting off all communication and supplies.

Thick ash on runways is making it difficult for New Zealand to send drinking water and other supplies to the island, the military has said.

The government said on Tuesday it has confirmed three deaths – two local residents and Angela – though it has cautioned that the toll is expected to rise as more reports come in from outlying areas.

Three of Tonga’s smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, officials said, as a wider picture emerges of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific archipelago nation.

Angela's brother Nick Eleini said her husband James Glover told him the damage to the island is bad following the eruption, and the full extent is going to be “quite apparent” in the coming days.

He said: “I think there is going to be a major humanitarian disaster unfolding there. I hope not, but there’s a lot of outlying islands in Tonga that haven’t been reached that people still need to get to."

Astrid says there is great concern that air quality and drinking water supplies are contaminated due to the immense amount of volcanic ash.

She is raising the money to provide help for those who need support and shelter during this time.

All the funds will go to Friends of Tonga charity who are directly coordinating local aid and relief efforts on the islands.

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