PEOPLE in the Malmesbury area have responded with overwhelming generosity to the appeal for victims of the Asian tsunami.

Already Malmesbury firefighters have raised £2,741 for the appeal by organising a sponsored car wash.

But as the town gears up to raise much needed cash and donate emergency supplies, some local families are having to come to terms with their near brush with death.

A Sopworth family count themselves lucky to have escaped the disaster during their Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka. They had sunbathed on beaches devastated by the tsunami only one week before.

David Trotter and his wife Sarah, from The Street, Sopworth, left Britain with their two children Tom and Sarah for a family holiday on December 15.

On Boxing Day they were on an inland tour when the tsunami struck. They did not realise anything had happened until news of the disaster spread.

Mr Trotter said: "I was feeling a mixture of emotions. One moment I felt very lucky but on the other hand many locals had lost their livelihood. The village in Yala where we stayed had 100 chalet rooms and their proximity to the disaster had scared his ten-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.

Sherston mum Irene Johnston was also very relieved to hear her 26-year-old son Neil was safe from the tsunami.

He was travelling through Indonesia and had left Sumatra only two days before the tsunami struck to visit Bali.

Mrs Johnston said: "We e-mailed him to see if he was ok and he e-mailed us back within 24 hours. It is a fantastic bit of fate that he is okay."

At home many people have already given donations and goods to help the appeal.

The 20 firefighters cleaned 230 cars as part of their effort.

Chief firefighter Wayne Jones said: "As firefighters we are accustomed to helping people.

"But with this situation there is nothing we could physically do to help the people there."

Mr Jones said Malmesbury Fire Station would now become a collection point for people wishing to send supplies to the area.

He said the crew are collecting bottled water, blankets, tinned food, tapaulins, sleeping bags and net curtains which could be used as mosquito protection, to send out to Asia.

And thanks to the generosity of townspeople, almost two trailers have already been filled up.

The fire station will be open from Monday to Friday from 7pm to 9pm and on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm for donations.

In partnership with Wiltshire Mercy Appeal, Nurdens Garden Centre on the Crudwell Road, has become a collection point for supplies.

In Minety, Jamie Denman, landlord of the Vale of the White Horse Inn, has organised a competition for people to guess the size of the pub's Christmas tree.

So far £50 has been raised and it is hoped more will come from a quiz.

Malmesbury Abbey vicar the Rev Neill Archer also plans to stage a concert in the abbey with local schools in February.

How to help

Wiltshire Mercy Appeal: (07708) 415362 or (01380) 720409

Wiltshire Red Cross: (01380) 730131

Disasters and Emergency Committee (DEC) national number: 0870 60 60 900 email www.dec.org.uk