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Celebrate P4R's 5th Year in Sri Lanka
Giving something back to the community of Arugam Bay
Introduction to P4R
We are Paddle4Relief and were formed shortly after the 2004 Asian Tsunami. We are a local charity in Devon who, every year since the disaster, hold a sponsored paddle and form a circle of remembrance, at Saunton Beach, for the forgotten victims. The monies raised go towards empowering the local community of Arugam Bay, a village on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, regularly visited by P4R Founder, Tim Tanton.
Getting back on their feet
Since the Boxing Day disaster, Tim has made a number of trips to Arugam Bay and had donated money and materials to help build homes and had set up loan schemes to help families rebuild their businesses. “When they get back on their feet and are able to repay us we can then loan money to more families.” Tim had received donations from family, friends and local businesses and had even sold personal possessions at car boot sales to raise money to help villagers.
How P4R came about
Paddle4Relief was set up after Tim and friend Paul ‘Custard’ Martin paddled out to the point at Downend, from Saunton, shortly after the disaster and ‘brainstormed’ as how to help the suffering who had lost their loved ones. As soon as Tim stepped out of the sea that day, his work started for the cause. The response from local surfers was so positive that we wanted to get as many local beach goers involved as possible.
Hopefully people will see it as British beach culture helping Sri Lankan beach culture.
Rejuvenating the community
Tim, has been a regular visitor to Sri Lanka for the past twelve years, and his first major project was the construction of a pre school classroom and playground, which has given a real boost to the children and has played an important part in rejuvenating the local community.
Achievements to date
The Paddle 4 Relief team has since achieved numerous other projects such as rebuilding the road accessing the Montessori pre-school and Temples, building cabanas and tea shops, regenerating existing wells, dramatically improving the water quality supplied to many families, putting in pipeline’s, providing water pumps, designing and constructing an environmentally friendly water tower and supplying medicine, food and fishing equipment. Tim most recently started a swimming club and he has now encouraged local young surfers to set up a surf club – the boards were generously donated from UK surfers and then shipped out to Arugam Bay.
This year will see the charity applying for official charity status which will enable us to move forward in greater capacity in 2008 and the years to come, with an aim of broadening the area of our aid work.
Last thought
Are you passionate, keen to travel to Sri Lanka and help a great charity? If so, contact Tim directly – you may just well be the next pioneer of Paddle4Relief. Also volunteers are welcome and we are currently looking for Legal and Financial Advisors to join our crew – please spread the word.
Please contact tim@paddle4relief.co.uk for further information.
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