A huge influx of support for the Romsey and District Tsunami Appeal in the last few weeks means that they can now proudly claim they have reached the one million mark. - one million rupees that is!

Their total now raised stands at £6450, but as they purchase all their humanitarian goods in Sri Lanka, the total equates to 1,161,000 Sri Lankan Rupees at the current exchange rate.

A recent fundraising event at the Romsey Tavern raised £450. This was a sale of a huge variety of goods at silly prices. The staff and customers of the Romsey Tavern have now contributed £1,227 to the fund.

Tavern landlady, Sharon Conduct, said: "My girls worked very hard to make the event a success and it is great to hear that the funds have already been sent direct to Sri Lanka and that 400 children will receive schoolbags, school uniforms, lunchboxes and shoes and socks very soon"

A charity stall in the Cornmarket raised £360. In addition to flowers, books, and toys, the appeal group sold goods imported from Sri Lanka. These included large cotton throwovers bought to help sustain local craft trades in Sri Lanka that are suffering due to the downturn in tourists visiting the country. Graham Kettles, organiser of the appeal, said that he is just finalising arrangements for the next aid trip to schools in Sir Lanka.

"This is quite complex as we are going to the more remote areas of Sri Lanka where the priority is highest and this involves a lot of transportation as we will be delivering to about eight schools. The officials in Sri Lanka have been very supportive of us, so much so that there is a possibility that we will be given a helicopter to help distribute our aid for the children."

Graham explained that the fund's next project is to restore the livelihood of a fishing village in Ampara. Around £11,000 is needed to provide nets and other equipment for 45 fishing boats which are the livelyhoods of 135 families.

Any donations for this project can be sent to Graham by cheque payable to Romsey and District Tsunami Appeal, c/o 1 Tadfield Road, Romsey, SO51 5AL. Any donations exceeding £250 will entitle the donator to choose a new name of the restored boat under an arrangement Graham has with the fishing community in Ampara.

Graham can be contacted on 01794 516810 or e-mail graham.kettles@ntl world.com