THE thousands of people who lost their lives in the Boxing Day tsunami that devastated south east Asia are to be remembered in a Kent town exactly two years on.

A ceremony is being held on December 26 at Margate Harbour at 11am by members of KASTDA, the Kent relief charity that is raising money for children orphaned by the tidal wave in Sri Lanka.

It will mark the end of a busy two years in which the group has raised more than £25,000 that has gone directly to help the social, health and educational welfare of more than 100 orphans aged between four and 18.

And in late November KASTDA learnt that its application as a full registered charity has been successful. Charitable status means it will be able to pass more money raised straight to the needy children.

Group spokesman Meththa Meththananda, whose family launched the Sri Lankan community appeal within hours of the Boxing Day disaster being broadcast round the world in 2004, said: "Our tribute is for all nationalities that lost their lives in the tsunami.

"It is also a tribute to the children and families who are slowly rebuilding their lives, and it is a public thank you to everyone who has supported our fund raising efforts in so many ways during the last year."

Mr Meththananda visited Sri Lanka in November to see how work is progressing rebuilding their homeland.

He said: "Our money is being channelled effectively but there is so much work to do. The awful realisation of the tsunami appears only to just be hitting many of the children.

"In their eyes you can see the horror of what they witnessed and the helplessness they feel. They are courageous and brave.

"My message to our supporters is simple. Thank you all – you have already made a huge difference to the lives of children. Our work is a long term project and we invite anyone who is interested to join our cause."

Successful events in 2006 included Sri Lankan cultural and music evenings in Thanet and Canterbury and a charity cricket match between QUEQM doctors and Worth Cricket Club. More events are planned for the New Year.

Further information is available from: 01843 228828 or visit http://www.kastda.org.

* KASTDA stands for the Kent Association for Sri Lankan Tsnunami Daruwo – daruwo is Sri Lankan for ‘children’.