PUPILS at Baydon St Nicholas School have helped raise £850 for the children in a Sri Lankan orphanage by selling unwanted gifts and running a tombola and raffle.

The school, parishioners at St Nicholas Church and villagers in Baydon have all responded to the appeal.

They were inspired by one of their own school governors Carol-Anne Routledge who has visited the orphanage at Navalady Baticalo.

The orphanage, supported by Hope Outreach Ministries, South-east Asia, was washed away by the tsunami on December 26.

Amazingly its 28 orphans and eight adult carers survived. As the first wave struck they were able to clamber aboard a 12ft boat and reach safety.

The boat is normally used to take a maximum of six villagers across a lagoon to their church.

The Navalady Baticalo Orphanage was built on a 100-metre wide sand bar. It took the full force of the waves.

Although the children and their carers managed to survive, all their clothing and their possessions were washed away.

The charity is sending out a fact-finding team tomorrow to see what skills will be needed to help rebuild the orphanage. They will establish what practical help is required from builders, carpenters and plumbers.

A Christian medical team will also be going out.

In the meantime Mrs Routledge is continuing to collect donations. She is also amassing a collection of T-shirts, shorts and suitable footwear for the children.

The children from St Nicholas School helped by staff and parents run their fund-raising event at the school on January 7.

Headteacher Paul Chambers said the children were planning another similar event on Friday January 28 at 2.30pm.

They again hope to have the support of villagers to help them raise more money for the orphanage.

Mr Chambers said: "We have been collecting clothes and shoes for the children and we have been explaining to the pupils that the building was quite literally wiped out by the tsunami."

The tsunami appeal still urgently requires medical supplies; tents and tarpaulins; generators; portable toilets; bed sheets and blankets; tinned food and tinned baby food; hand tools; pots, pans and cooking equipment.

Volunteers are also still required. To find out how you can help call the appeal line on 07708 415362.