Family's campaign for funds (From Penarth Times)

Family's campaign for funds

A DINAS Powys woman whose family escaped the tsunami disaster has started a fundraising campaign to build an orphanage in Phuket for children whose families have been lost.

Melanie Dawson, of Powys Gardens, said: "My mum, brother and nephew were on the island of Phuket when the waves hit.

"They were heading for the beach that Boxing Day morning, but thankfully were held up because they had left something behind in their apartment and had returned to fetch it.

"They are all fine but my brother, who has lived in Phuket for the last five years, lost three friends in the disaster. Another of his close friends had his home destroyed.

"My brother runs a sea canoe business and a fish and chip shop in Phuket and my mother was out there visiting him over Christmas," she added.

"Obviously I feel relief and happiness that my relatives are safe but also great compassion for the thousands of people who have not been so lucky, having lost loved ones and their homes.

"I have visited the region many times in recent years and know only too well how difficult it is going to be to get things up and running again."

"I have started an appeal to raise money for an orphanage being built in Phuket to look after scores of local children who have lost their families."

As the first event in her fundraising campaign, Melanie has organised a sponsored walk in Penarth.