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Today, 100 buses are assembling near Winchester from across the UK in preparation for shipment to the areas of Sri Lanka and Indonesia worst hit by the Boxing Day tsunami.
The mid-life buses, from double-deckers to minibuses, have been donated by bus and coach operators from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and Eire, as a practical response to the devastation of the Boxing Day tsunami. The appeal has taken six months to realize.
At an official handover tomorrow, attended by Ministers of the Governments of Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the vehicles pass into the hands of Islamic Relief. The charity will ship and distribute the buses with the receiving governments and provide training for drivers.
The buses will be used exclusively by children in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Asia Bus Response vehicles will provide essential transportation to children currently unable to get to school in Galle, and in Indonesia they will become much-needed mobile classrooms for communities in the Aceh area.
Mr Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Trade, Sri Lanka High Commission, said, "The arrival of these buses from Asia Bus Response will be seen by ordinary Sri Lankan people as the most visible and concrete benefit from the international community."
The buses are being washed and mechanically checked at Solent Blue Line, Barton Park, Eastleigh, for assembly this afternoon at Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester.
FOR THE FULL STORY & LIST OF BUS DONORS, VISIT www.asiabusresponse.co.uk
Contact:
PR: Sabia Kamali
Media Executive sabia.kamali@islamic-relief.org.uk
Tel 020 8498 2093 Mbl 07944 502932
Abdul Aziz Rajab-Ali
Tel 020 8498 2095 Mbl 07900 470994
email abdul.aziz@islamic-relief.org.uk
Islamic Relief
Unit 40: Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
London
E17 5QJ
Tel: 020 8531 6752
Direct Line: 020 8498 2093
www.islamic-relief.com
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