main content Generous donation boosts Tsunami appeal

A Tsunami appeal by Bromley Council staff and councillors has received a major boost from school students who have raised more than £2,000.

A tutor group from Ravens Wood School in Bromley, added £2,005 to the Council’s own efforts to fund an orphanage in Sri Lanka when they visited the Civic Centre to hand over a cheque to the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Mrs Anne Manning and members of the Council’s appeal group.

The students from tutor group 12MP organised a sponsored fast to raise most of the money, although other activities included doing extra jobs and collecting spare coins.

The group has also written a play, called “Tsunami”, with another tutor group 7SW, which will be performed in the school’s drama studio during assemblies and to an invited audience, including the Mayor, on 26 April. A collection will be taken at the end of each performance with all money donated going towards the maintenance of the new orphanage as part of the school’s ongoing commitment.

Tutor Michael Parker said: “Like many, my group were shocked and saddened to hear of the death and destruction caused by the Tsunami. After considerable thought, they decided to do something practical to help some of the children who have suffered and began fundraising.

“These children have been through so much, first the continuing war, and now the Tsunami. They deserve a chance and an opportunity to lead a secure and decent life.”

Thanks to the generosity of other schools, including Warren Road Primary in Orpington and Stewart Fleming Primary in Anerley, the appeal has now raised £8,500 towards the home - to be called Thayaham, meaning “mother’s home” - which is expected to cost about £20,000 to build. Running costs and maintenance will then be picked up by the local people through the church.

The Council’s appeal group is working with the Bishop of Mannar, in northern Sri Lanka, to enlarge and improve an existing orphanage to provide a permanent home for 40 children who lost their families in the Tsunami which struck on Boxing Day.

Mayor Councillor Mrs Anne Manning said: “We cannot thank the Ravens Wood students enough for their generous donation towards our appeal. This is a huge boost and brings us a step closer to realising our goal of providing a safe and permanent home for these children who have suffered so much.”
ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Future fundraising events planned by the appeal group include a quiz night in May and a cricket match in June

For media enquiries please contact Richard Simcox, Communications Officer on 020 8313 4310 or email richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk.

For further information about the appeal, or to make a donation, please contact Anna Lancefield on 020 8313 4897 or email anna.lancefield@bromley.gov.uk.