Swim donation boosts Tsunami appeal (From Western Telegraph)

Swim donation boosts Tsunami appeal

THE generosity of Pembrokeshire people has again come to the fore as the overwhelming devastation of the Tsunami disaster became clear.

A donation of £1,000 to the earthquake appeal has been made from Tenby's Boxing Day swim.

"We are very mindful of the fact that on the day that people in Tenby enjoyed themselves in the sea, so many others across the world were losing their lives and suffering devastation," said Chris Osborne, Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman.

"Our committee members were unanimous that this donation should be made immediately from the bucket collection on Boxing Day, and we are sure those who contributed will share our view."

The Western Telegraph raised nearly £100 in less than an hour on Friday with the sale of cakes to staff and customers and will continue to raise more money for the appeal fund.

A spokesperson at Oxfam's Haverfordwest shop said: "We are being inundated with cash donations from generous people of all ages and circumstances. People have been making donations of sums like £25, £50 and £100, or simply refusing their change when they make a purchase. One gentleman brought in a large whisky bottle full of coins.

"People are also offering clothing and blankets, but, unfortunately, these cause problems since we cannot store them or pass them on at local level. Such donations should be sent to the addresses given on TV.

"The official body is DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee) Asian Earthquake Flood Appeal. Cash donations are instantly available to enable Oxfam to apply specialist equipment and expertise in restoring vital water supplies and sanitation."

DEC represents 12 leading aid agencies - Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

A spokesman for the Red Cross shop at Pembroke Dock said: "We have had some money donations, but we expect more now that we have put up appeal notices."

Tesco has invited the British Red Cross to hold a cash collection in all its stores on the weekend of January 8th and 9th. The money raised will go to the DEC appeal.

The store also gave a £100,000 donation to the British Red Cross in the first days of the disaster.

Clothing company Stewarts Seconds, which has factories in Sri Lanka, is collecting aid for the Sri Lankan Disaster Fund. Clothing, blankets, toiletries and cotton underwear can be left at Stewarts Seconds shops in Tenby and Saundersfoot.

To raise funds for Christian Aid, which is helping the disaster victims, young people from Carew Wesley Methodist Chapel will give a special presentation of their Christmas musical, The Peace Child, at Sageston CP School on Friday, January 7th at 7.30pm.