When Tenby locals united back in January to raise money towards helping an orphanage in Thailand that was struck by the tsunami wave disaster, one of the town's councillors, John Griffiths, took the step of making the trip to Phuket, himself, to see that the proceeds were handed over personally. Two fund-raising events were held at Tenby's De Valence Pavilion in January for the cause, a bazaar/jumble sale and a charity variety show, with locals turning out in their numbers to show support in raising money for the orphanage, which is attempting to provide shelter for 1,000 youngsters. Clr. Griffiths, who embarked on the trip to Phuket in February, also took along with him 10 Observer teddy bears to present to the children at the orphanage. Now, on his return this week, he spoke to the Observer about how the situation in the area he visited was and how the money raised by the people of Tenby was being put to use to help the orphanage's children. "The money raised from the charity events in Tenby will guarantee 15 children from the orphanage centre education for the next 12 months. The children were also delighted to receive the Observer teddy bears," said Clr. Griffiths. While he was staying in Phuket, Clr. Griffiths teamed up with a group of people who have been living on the island for a number of years, who, following the wave disaster, got together to help the most vulnerable people hit by the crisis. Among the team whose office is based at Phuket Deep Sea Fishing in Chalong Bay, was retired businessman John Davenport, who originally hails from North Wales. John was on hand with his partners, Ralph from Germany and Greg from Canada, to help Clr. Griffiths see that the funds he brought with him were made the most of at the orphanage. The three men, who met about two weeks after the tsunami hit, are dedicating their time to making sure that families, islanders and local fishermen are getting the required help to to get life in Phuket back to as normal as possible. Although Clr. Griffiths heard many a harrowing story on his trip, he was glad to report that normality was starting to return to the island. "The smell of stale brine and strong disinfectant around the island gave it an eerie sense, but a lot of businesses and hotels have now started to re-open, so it was great to see things taking shape again on such a beautiful island," he said.