ST HELENS Rotary Club are playing a key role in helping the survivors of the tsunami that devastated huge areas around the Indian Ocean.

The club has already funded four emergency boxes from the Shelterbox Trust at a cost of £490 each. Each box contains a 10-person tent, 10 sleeping bags, a water purification kit, tools and other essentials - enough to provide shelter and warmth for up to 10 people (an extended family) for a prolonged period.

The money for this has in part come from the collection made by members of the club in the Hardshaw Centre earlier this month.

Dr Colin Ince, president of the Rotary Club of St Helens said: "On behalf of the Rotary Club of St Helens I would like to say a great big thank-you to all who contributed so generously to our 'Asian Tsunami Appeal.

"In all, we raised £1,823 in the Hardshaw Centre to which members of the Club have already added £1,000.

"After we have paid for the Shelterboxes, the balance we have raised will be sent to the area in which the disaster happened.

"The next step will be to plan for a project to reconstruct some of the houses and villages that have been destroyed in conjunction with other rotary clubs in the North West".