[Ely Announce] Tsunami appeal to remain on target

[Owen Spencer-Thomas]

Tsunami appeal to remain on target


The Bishops’ Lent Appeal ‘After the tsunami
’ will continue to raise money
for those who survived the disaster in South India, despite the decision by
the major UK charities to close their nationwide appeal.

While the major charities are no longer seeking new donations, they are
still depending on those fundraising groups, like the Bishops’ appeal, which
already have events in place.  The Lent appeal is being run in partnership
with Christian Aid.

Ely diocese was among the first of the potentially bigger donors to come
forward after the disaster.  Christian Aid are still hoping we can deliver
our offer of funding.

Christian Aid Project Manager Nigel Varndell has told me that their decision
to close appeals is based upon projected income from the appeals, which
includes all fundraising activities that they know are ongoing.

When they estimated how much the final appeal might make, they were
including a projected income from the Ely appeal.  What they have done now
is stopped soliciting for new donations; they have not stopped accepting
money from ongoing work.

The Disasters Emergency Committee, the umbrella group of 12 UK aid agencies,
closed their appeal last week after raising a projected £300 million.

The DEC has already allocated over £100m for the first phase of disaster
relief. The committee said the rest of the appeal fund will be spent on
reconstruction and re-establishing livelihoods over at least the next three
years.

Christian Aid are supporting their partner organisations in the state of
Tamil Nadu to provide practical assistance to people living in temporary
camps.

Partner organisations are continuing to supply long-term shelter and
rebuilding homes to replace the temporary shelters which were built as an
immediate response.  Programmes to restore livelihoods and the former way of
life for survivors are being put in place, for instance, buying boats and
fishing tackle.

Christian Aid are also working to ensure relief reaches those who need it.
Government aid is now reaching most people, but some are excluded - often
woman-headed households and Dalits – formerly known as untouchables.
Children are also vulnerable.  Tamil Nadu was the worst-hit state.

Please be reassured that your contribution will still be gratefully received
and used.

Cheques made payable to 'Ely DBF (Bishop's Lent Appeal)' should be sent in
an envelope marked 'Lent Appeal' to Dr Bridget Nichols at The Bishop's
House, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DW.


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Owen Spencer-Thomas
52 Windsor Road
Cambridge
CB4 3JN

01223 358448

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