Council ready to help tsunami nations (From Warrington Guardian)

Council ready to help tsunami nations

A 'DAY of Hope' will launch Cheshire County Council's appeal to help those affected by the tsunami in Asia.

On Friday, January 21, the council's 23,000-strong workforce and 350 schools across the region will help raise cash to aid survivors of the catastrophe.

In the meantime, the authority's management board is to consult with the Local Government International Bureau (LGIB) on how best its expertise can be used in rebuilding the shattered communities.

Chief executive of Cheshire County Council Jeremy Taylor, said: "It may well be that the wide ranging expertise available in an authority of this size will be needed in addition to money.

"This could be anything from civil protection or education, to social care or highways and bridge engineering.

"At this stage we simply do not know but we will consider any requests."

One idea being discussed is the county council adopting or twinning with a town or village to help restore normal life.

Collection boxes for the Cheshire County Council Asian Disaster Appeal are to be placed in all the authority's main libraries and Tatton Park.

Cheques should be made out of Cheshire County Council with 'Asian Disaster Appeal' written on the reverse.