Paul Cowper and Josephine Hammond, two of the trustees of START, the Sri Lankan Trust to Aid and Rebuild Tangalle, attended a special family service at St. Peter's Church, Lampeter Velfrey, last Sunday. The service, led by Canon Geoffrey Morris, focused on the plight of people in Sri Lanka who are still homeless, have lost all their belongings and, most of all, have lost family and friends as a result of the Tsunami at Christmas. Lampeter Velfrey Parish has been a staunch supporter of START from its beginnings and Canon Geoffrey was able to hand over a cheque for £1,107.91 to Paul Cowper. This represents money raised at a carol singing event held at Lampeter House by Julian and Mami Williams and at a coffee morning held at St. Peter's in January. Tavernspite Women's Institute also contributed generously and almost half the money came from a charity dinner held at the rectory. START has already re-equipped a school band and helped to re-furbish a hospital ward. The trustees are now waiting for the schools in Sri Lanka to give them a list of equipment and resources needed so that they can fund that too. Many schools are very overcrowded, as those near the shoreline were swept away by the wave with great loss of life. Those children who did survive are swelling the numbers in the remaining schools. There is still a great deal to be done and many thousands of people are still living in tents. The charity has raised a total of £45,000 to date and the trustees are keen to spend it on down to earth practical causes, especially those that benefit children. If you would like to help the people of this stricken coastline, you can give your donation in at any branch of the National Westminster Bank or send a cheque to START, c/o Lowless and Lowless, Lorne Chambers, Warren Street, Tenby. Cheques should be made out to START.