Family help Thai victims (From Penarth Times)

Family help Thai victims

TWO Penarth men who travelled to Thailand in search of a relative lost in the tsunami have handed over money raised by Penarthians to Thai victims.

The money was given to locals from the resort town of Khao Lak, who suffered horrendous injury or personal tragedy in the disaster.

Penarthian Kevin McCarthy, aged 33, was on holiday in the Thai resort of Khao Lak with his girlfriend Debbie Evans when the tsunami struck on Boxing Day.

When, after five days, there was still no news of Kevin, his brother-in-law Steve Andrews and Kevin's brother Paul McCarthy flew to Thailand with DNA samples in the hope of finding him.

Steve said: "As a family we were desperate, we felt so helpless. In the end we decided that Paul and I would fly out to do what we could to find Kevin.

"We met so many Thai people who had suffered horrendous injuries or the loss of loved ones. They were so kind and helpful to us in our search when they were suffering themselves.

"One man, Mr Tuang, lost his wife and two children, and his leg was severed. He also lost his fishing boat.

"There was also a woman who was left to look after her two three-year-old grandchildren."

Steve added: "People at Cogan Labour Club and the Cogan pub have been fundraising through raffles and skittle evenings - they raised more than 1,000 which they wanted to go to the people who we met in Thailand.

"On behalf of all of Kevin's family we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed. The money has gone directly to the people concerned because we want them to see immediate benefit.