Couple on a mission to help rebuild lives (From Warrington Guardian)

Couple on a mission to help rebuild lives

YOUNG couple Asher and Lara Gilbert are to spend a month helping the people of Thailand rebuild their lives.

Asher, aged 24, and 22-year-old Lara are to work with the Hands on Thailand organisation on the island of Phuket.

The western side of the island was devastated by the tsunami which hit the area on Boxing Day.

Mr and Mrs Gilbert were keen to do something practical to help after watching TV pictures of the horrific impact of the Asian tsunami.

The couple live in Alsager, and are members of the Christian Ministry Centre in Lawton Road, Alsager.

Mr Gilbert is a software trainer with university students who have some form of visual impairment.

His wife is in her second year of a contemporary craft degree at the Alsager university campus.

Hands on Thailand's main aims are to rebuild communities and lives, and its volunteers work in a range of areas including administration and manual labour.

"We were spending time with our families at Christmas, and the TV pictures of the damage caused by the tsunami had quite an impact on us," said Mr Gilbert.

"We felt almost a religious obligation to do something to help, and decided rather than give money we wanted to offer our practical help."

Mrs Gilbert will be working with Thai children on rebuilding their confidence.

If anyone would like to donate soft toys for the Gilberts to take with them ring 01270-882944 or 07870-379588.

The toys should be new or in very good condition.