Cash pours in for disaster (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cash pours in for disaster

SRI Lankans from Stroud are spearheading a campaign to rehouse their countrymen in the wake of the tsunami disaster after a groundswell of sympathy from the Five Valleys.

Lakshman Gallage, 37, who runs Snax 24 at the BP garage on London Road, plans to put cash raised at the shop into a housing project on the devastated Sri Lankan coast.

"Nearly five per cent of Sri Lankan people have lost their houses," he said. "They have just completely gone, been completely washed away.

"What are we going to do for the families living in churches and temples? This is the second step."

Mr Gallage has already spoken to architects in Sri Lanka and drawn up plans for simple one-bedroom houses that will be much sturdier than traditional wooden structures.

He is hoping to raise enough to build at least 10 of the £670 homes and due to the generosity of his customers he has already raised £1,750 - almost enough for three.

"It is amazing," he said. "Everybody is doing something. I did not think there would be so much of a reaction.

"We raised enough for three houses in three days. But whatever the amount we raised I am happy to be doing something for our people."

Last week the SNJ reported that a cashier at the store, Panduuka Guruge, lost his uncle and 11-year-old cousin in the tragedy, which has so far cost 30,000 lives in Sri Lanka alone.

Anyone who would like to donate money to this appeal can drop into Snax 24 or the SNJ office in Lansdown, Stroud. Cheques to the SNJ should be made out to SNJ Appeal Fund.

For more information call the newsroom on 01453 762412.