While the people of Pembrokeshire have been generously donating aid to help the victims of the Tsunami tidal wave disaster in South Asia, one local family have set-up a fund to help rebuild a community badly hit by the Christmas tragedy. Paul and Jane Cowper, who had a miraculous escape after a tourist resort they were staying at in Sri Lanka was torn apart, have launched an appeal to help rebuild the town of Tangalle. As reported in last week's Observer, Paul and Jane, of Saundersfoot, and Jane's daughter Joanne Brindley and her partner, Will Hammond, of Llanmill, near Narberth, were enjoying a Christmas holiday when one of the worst natural disasters in living memory struck on Boxing Day. The family and two friends from Devon were marooned on the balcony of their rented beach holiday house for seven hours before being rescued by a group of Sri Lankans. The group owe their lives to their rescuers and, now they have returned home, are keen to help them rebuild their community. They have set-up START - Srilankan Trust to Aid and Rebuild Tangalle – with the aim of targeting money at projects which will directly help the people of tangalle to rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives. "The tsunamis which hit Tangalle and the surrounding areas on Boxing Day wreaked havoc on the low lying town," explained Paul, a managing partner of Lowless and Lowless. "Nearly all the boats in the harbour and bay were destroyed, much of the town was laid to waste and all tourist accommodation on the beaches to the east of the town was swept away or damaged beyond repair," he continued. "It will take huge amounts of money and effort to rebuild Tangalle and many foreigners owe the Tangalle people a huge debt of gratitude for the help and shelter they were given after the tsunamis stuck." A small fishing town on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka, Tangalle is blessed with beautiful beaches and a glorious climate. The last major resort area on the 200-mile stretch of coastline running south from Colombo, it has attracted tourists in increasing numbers since the truce between the Tamil Tigers and the government two years ago. "Tangalle is quite similar to Tenby and it has been suggested that links could be made between the two resorts," added Paul. Donations to START can be made at any Nat West Bank. The account number is 71011374 and the sort code is 55-61-35 Tenby. FOOTNOTE: See other stories this week for the family's incredible story and pictures of the devastation, as well as news of other county survivors, local aid appeals and fund-raising efforts.