Stroud's kindness (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud's kindness

THE ASTONISHING generosity of district residents has seen the total raised for the Stroud Sri Lanka Housing Project rocket to more than £8,000.

The Stroud News and Journal Appeal launched by town garage manager Lakshman Gallage has now raised enough to build the ten homes for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami in his devastated homeland.

He said: "The response has been wonderful. When we started the project we never though there would be this much response. I don't know how I can thank these people."

A newly appointed committee, including Mr Gallage and representatives of Stroud Rotary club and the Stroud News and Journal, is overseeing the project.

The community of ten homes is planned for near the southern town of Hikkaduwa on land given to tsunami survivors by the Sri Lankan government.

The floor plans of the homes must be built to government stipulations but the committee hopes to customise the exteriors to distinguish them as Stroud's.

A list of victims in need of housing is to be supplied to the project, from which just ten can be chosen.

"We've got to select the most desperate ten families for houses," said Mr Gallage. "Some people lost their main income source or can't build a house from their own money. It's going to be a difficult choice."

The committee is calling for further donations to help furnish the new homes and provide an ongoing fund for the new residents.

Rotary club vice president Jim Hutton said: "My feeling is to keep the money rolling in. It's not going to go to waste. We take them under our wing, put them in our houses and then look after them."

To donate to the project cash or cheques made payable to the SNJ Appeal Fund can be sent to the Stroud News and Journal, 6 Lansdown, Stroud GL5 1BE.