WYE VALLEY TSUNAMI FUND

General fund news and update

Since we left in March we have been in regular contact with our friends in Sri Lanka and have heard how things are improving. A great deal of effort has been put into cleaning up the mess that the Tsunami left however many many people are still homeless. Tourists are beginning to return which is fantastic.

Sam has completed the ‘missions’ that we left him to do in March.

The musical instruments have been delivered to the school, the teachers from the home have had regular visits to Colombo to have their new callipers fitted. We have been told that they are excited that we are going back and will be performing a celebration dance for us!! Food runs have been regularly carried out to the refugee camp and the people are so grateful for the help that we have been able to give.

During the summer many donations have been made to the fund. Our work colleagues have been making regular donations to the fund so that Sally can buy some sewing machines and set up a sewing class. Sally’s dad was a Master Tailor for many years so this project will be especially rewarding for her.

At a meeting attended earlier in the year by Kelvin one of his business associates Fred approached and said ‘I have got a bone to pick with you, you have made my daughter cry, who me? I didn’t even know you had a daughter.

Nichola had been reading the e mail that we wrote on the plane home in January. on Fred’s computer. Nichola and her sister Teresa organised a fund raising event in Essex. Not really knowing how best to spend the money Nichola rang Kelvin and asked for our help. We are delighted that Nichola has asked to do something useful with the money when we are Sri Lanka. The sum £1400 !! Fantastic.

Colleagues of Kelvin’s following a business meeting held at the Florence made a donation of £350.

Kelvin has also helped some friends with building projects. Ian and Julie can now drive to the garage of the house they are building and nearly have a garden!! When is a door not a door ----- when it has been blocked off as Janet & John now know. Thanks to them all for their donations to the fund.

In July the annual Bar B Que took place in Whitebrook. Click to view the BBQ pictures. The weather was reasonably kind and whilst it rained most of the day was dry in the evening. Out go the Lights the Bristol based band were fantastic. One telephone call from Kelvin and they agreed to play for only a fraction of what they would normally charge. They played their hearts out and thanks are due to the people who threw £20 notes at them to play more numbers at the end of planned performance. Following the Bar B Que the Village Hall Committee generously donated £400 to the fund. The support that we have been given since Boxing Day 2004 both emotionally and financially for the fund is something that we will both be forever grateful for.

It seems a life time since March but now at last we can say ‘we are going back this month’

If the technology works we will hopefully be able to send updates when we are there.