In January 2001 an earthquake hit Gujarat in India, killing an estimated 15,000 and left over 300,000 people homeless. Aid Reaching Children immediately launched an appeal for blankets and tents. On the Saturday after the earthquake a team from A.R.C drove two lorries up to Safeway’s car park and with the help of family and friends they collected over 6 tonne of aid. It was a brilliant response from such a small island.

 A collection of money raised over £2,000 pound on the day. All the aid was taken across to the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Wilsdon North London where it was packed and stored for a few days before being flown out to the disaster area in India.

 A further £8,000 was raised and presented to the Hindu priest at the temple during a ceremony which was held to thank everyone who had given help. Two staff members and 12 year old Justin Ogier who volunteered his services for the trip, attended the ceremony Justin presented the cheque to the high priest and was then honoured  by the priest. Our £10,000 was part of the grand overall total of £250,000 which was raised by the temple and sent to Gujarat to put towards building stronger shelters for the homeless and for food for some of the displaced refugees.