Richard du Bois, National Vice President of the Round Table and Huw Jones, Round Table’s International Officer, are to visit Chennai in Southern India on December 27 to see how £150,000 of donated cash has helped re build 16 schools that were destroyed by the tidal wave.

Round Tablers across the country raised a total of £300,000 for the victims of the Tsunami with the money being split equally between India and Sri Lanka. After visiting Sri Lanka in April, Mr du Bois and Mr Jones are now getting ready to jet off to Chennai where the money is being used to reconstruct schools and buy vital supplies. The cash was sent directly to and spent by fellow Round Tablers in India, guaranteeing it was channeled directly to where it was most needed without a single penny being spent on administration costs. This work is being carried out in conjunction with the Indian Government and under the Round Table India Freedom through Education banner which aims to provide education for a million children who, without help, would have no form of formal schooling. The three-year-old appeal has already provided schools for more than 400,000 children.

Mr du Bois said: “This is a unique situation that demonstrates the abilities of the Round Table world family. Round Tablers across Britain worked very hard to raise this significant amount of cash and we are delighted to be able to go and see just how it has helped. It is important that vital buildings like schools are repaired or rebuilt as quickly as possible so that the children of India do not miss out on a valuable education.”

The money was raised in all sorts of ways including a special high street concert in Southend where 12 local bands took to the stage to perform for the crowds. The event raised an impressive £10,000 for the Tsunami appeal.

Mr Jones added: “We are extremely proud of Tablers for raising such a significant amount of money and are looking forward to visiting the 16 new schools and speaking to the children for whom this money will have made the most difference.”

The pair will spend a week in Chennai, also known as Madras, which is on the South coast of India. The South and Eastern areas of India suffered huge losses of life with more than 100 people being killed in Chennai alone.

President of Round Table India said: “The money raised by fellow Tablers in the UK has made a tremendous difference to how quickly we have been able to get to work rebuilding and repairing our schools. We are extremely grateful to our fellow Tablers for raising this money and believe this is a wonderful example of the Round Table global family in action.”

Pictured are Richard du Bois, left, and Huw Jones on their visit to Sri Lanka where the Round Table of Britain and Ireland has worked with the Sri Lankan Round Table to rebuild schools destroyed by the Boxing Day Tsunami.