Bus Classrooms for Tsunami Victims

BUSES DONATED BY TWM TO BECOME CLASSROOMS FOR TSUNAMI YOUNGSTERSDuring a hand over ceremony today (Wednesday), buses donated by local bus company Travel West Midlands, were included among 100 vehicles given to the charity Islamic Relief for distribution in the tsunami-hit areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka.The buses will be used to provide mobile classrooms around Ache in Indonesia where some children remain without education. More buses are being shipped to Sri Lanka, where they will be used in the Galle area to transport children to school from country areas.Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives in the Boxing Day tsunami and the six-month Asia Bus Response appeal by the UK bus and coach industry has been a practical response in support of the worst-hit communities.Phil Bateman, Corporate Affairs Director, said National Express Bus Division was enthusiastic about support for this initiative from day one, he added: "Ever since the disaster struck, individual garages and workers in our Division, have been fund raising. They raised a total of £10,000 and have since been helping to collect and distribute those funds raised to a variety of charities."When the Bus Industry decided to do even more through this Asia Bus Response appeal, we trawled our TWM fleet and identified 6 vehicles that we thought could do the job in Asia. Through Asia Bus Response and Islamic Relief we are now able to help children to continue their education, and contribute to the future of their country."Giving a vehicle isn’t an easy option, but our employees and customers supported us when we decided on a more tangible way to help those so badly affected by the tsunami disaster. It’s great to know that very soon our donation will be helping children caught up in this natural disaster to a better future."For appeal and event details, visit www.asiabusresponse.co.uk

Published 8th June 2005