AID FOR ASIA (From Warrington Guardian)

AID FOR ASIA

THE season of goodwill is alive and well in Warrington, with fundraisers joining together to help the victims of the devastating Asian earthquake.

Disaster struck under the ocean in Indonesia last Sunday, causing gigantic 'tsunami' tidal waves that ravaged countries in and around the Indian Ocean including Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Ruth Earnshaw, of Christian Aid's Warrington committee, has been encouraging people in the town to get on board the appeal for aid.

She said: "This is a dreadful thing to happen and we have sent out an appeal to churches to do their own collections and I am hoping to persuade a supermarket to let us carry out a collection there."

Nationally, Christian Aid has already allocated £250,000 of emergency funds for the crisis.

Churches collecting for the appeal include Warrington Parish Church and Hillcliffe Baptist Church in Appleton.

The Reverend Michael Finlay, rector of Warrington Parish Church, said: "I think the whole thing and what people are going through out there, is beyond comprehension.

"When you listen to the radio and TV, there are some wonderful stories of people who have been saved and those supporting the victims.

"We took retiring collections from all services on Sunday and people can still contribute through us if they wish."

Meanwhile, Warrington Bor

ough Council staff are being asked to donate Christmas 'leftovers' such as boxes of chocolates, drinks or doubled up presents for a tombola organised by Pat Jackson in the education department.

Around 8,000 employees will be taking part in the event on Monday, January 10, and all money collected will be donated to Oxfam's disaster appeal.