Hands across the sea

Paul Harris Fellows and neighbours Trevor Barton, a long-standing Astley Rotarian, and Gnanaka Jayasinghe, of the Colombo Central club, are synchronizing efforts to put the country's devastated fishing fleet back to sea, buy a new boat and build a psychiatric ward to deal with the aftermath of the Boxing Day tragedy.

Astley Rotarians were quick to act after the killer wave struck, an emergency meeting authorising an immediate donation of £1,000 to the disaster fund.

But Gnanaka, known locally as Jay, who lives in Bolton and runs a fashion warehouse making clothing for Marks and Spencer in Sri Lanka, revealed that more than just urgent medical supplies were needed.

He sent back first hand reports of the horrors created by the tidal wave, and now thanks to the close relationship of the two Rotarians their clubs are working in harmony to bring some order back to the victims' lives.

Trevor said: "We were talking about the disaster shortly after it happened, but at that time, like everyone else, we had no idea of the scale of the tragedy that was to unfold.

"The Astley club members asked what we could do to help and Jay's first message was that some medical supplies were needed. Of course by the end of that week all requirements had changed as the death toll rocketed to many thousands."

Further e-mails revealed that there were problems relating to water and toilets but that UNICEF had stepped in and were doing a great job thanks to the phenomenal response from the public.

Jay travelled to the SE corner of island to Galle to an old naval base where he found that the maternity hospital had taken the force of the wave and the complete fishing industry had been wiped out.

As a result Astley Rotarians decided to put all their efforts into supporting the fishing industry and getting their boats back to sea so they could start rebuilding their lives, and building a psychiatric ward at the hospital to help those badly traumatised by the horror.

Trevor said: "Fifty fishing boats had been rescued from the waves, but their engines were wrecked. For £70 each we can get an engine repaired, so for just £3,500 we can get the fleet back up and running. This creates a knock-on effect. Local people mend the engines, the fishermen go out to make a living and put food back on the tables.

"Some are already back at work. We are also aiming to buy a new boat. For £1,650 we can an 18ft one out to sea complete with engine and nets.

Regarding the hospital project Jay reported that he had been to the site at Matara and though it is not seriously damaged the doctor in charge needs a psychiatric ward to treat the tsunami affected people who are going through mental trauma.

Work is expected to cost in the region of £20,000 and Rotary members are united in their wish to raise the cash.Trevor said: "Trauma is now beginning to manifest itself. Those people have lost everything and are starting to be bemused by it all. It will be a long term recovery operation.

"I suspect a lot of people wonder whether all the money they donate is going to the cause and whether it is being spend in the right way. The thing about working with Rotary is that many members are skilled business people and make sure all the money raised goes to the cause.

"If anyone wishes to help donate towards our schemes we will delighted to act as a conduit and make sure that every penny goes to them.

"They have come about as the result of a quirk of fate, the friendship between two neighbours and their commitment to an international club that works hard to help people in need."

Anyone wishing to help can contact Trevor on trevorbarton@btconnect.com or on 01942 889997 during business hours.