The Tsunami

On December 26th 2004, a massive earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter Scale creates a tsunami causing devastation in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, The Maldives and many other areas around the rim of the Indian Ocean. The death toll was subsequently estimated at more than 300,000.
In common with many others around the world, The Rotary Club of Kenilworth set up a collection point for donations to help the victims. Rotarian Arnold Bolton organised a collection in Talisman Square and as we stood there, people of all ages made a bee-line towards us, holding out money.

The picture on the right shows Rotarians Colin Sallis and Roy Shearing on duty with an aquabox which is used for providing drinkable water in disaster areas.

We soon had over £3,000 in donations. In common with the usual policy of Rotary, we wanted to give the money to a specific cause related to something we could identify. President Zig Layton-Henry, in consultation with the club, decided to link up with the Mayor of Kenilworth’s Charity Fund and the cheque was duly handed over to our Mayor Pauline Edwards.

At the same time, the International Committee of the Club, led by Colin Wilding organised a further four shelter boxes, four aquaboxes and Six Aqua 30 boxes. These included three boxes which had been filled by Kenilworth School Pupils and a generous donation from the Knowle United Reform Church arranged by Rotarian Graham Tall.

Rotarian Arnold Bolton, who was instrumental in initiating the original collection, suggested we work with a specific project rather than simply add the donations to the general Tsunami Fund.
The decision was to support the Louise Willgrass Appeal, commemorating the life of Louise who was swept away by the tsunami when she left the family car to buy some sun-tan lotion. Her husband Nigel and their four children were sheltered overnight by a local couple, Upin and Pichat, and driven the 12 hour trip to Bankok next day. The appeal will benefit the local community of Patong, Phuket, rebuilding schools and providing education for the children where over 300 have been orphaned or have lost their family bread-winner.

On Thursday, 23rd May, a cheque for £4000 was handed over by Mayor Pauline Edwards to Mr and Mrs Mike Cornwall from the Mayor’s Charity fund, accompanied by President Zig Layton-Henry and Rotarian Arnold Bolton.

Mr and Mrs Mike Cornwall, whose daughter Louise was killed during the Indian Ocean Tsunami last Christmas, receive a cheque for £4,000 from the people of Kenilworth.  The money will go to the Louise Willgrass Appeal to help rebuild a school and orphanage in Phuket, Thailand.  Kenilworth Rotary President, Zig Layton-Henry, represented the Club whose members had collected most of the money in the three days following the disaster. The cheque was handed over by the Kenilworth Mayor, Councillor Pauline Edwards.