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

The ceremony will be held on December 26 at Margate by members of KASTDA, the Kent relief charity raising money for children orphaned by the tidal wave in Sri Lanka.

They will lay a wreath on the sea by the Royal Esplanade at Westbrook, Margate, near the Barnes Avenue promenade car park at 10.30am.

They will also release balloons in the colours of the Union Jack and the Sri Lankan national flag – red, white and blue; and orange, green and yellow – in recognition of the unity between the two countries in the face of the tragedy.

North Thanet MP Roger Gale, a keen supporter of KASTDA since its launch and a patron of the group, is among the invited guests.

Group spokesman Meththa Methananda, whose family launched the Sri Lankan community appeal within hours of the Boxing Day disaster being broadcast round the world, 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."

In its first year of work the charity and its volunteers have exceeded expectations and raised nearly £15,000 that is going directly to a KASTDA bank account in Sri Lanka that is exclusively for children. The aim is to provide them with long term support for their social welfare, health and education.

KASTDA members have visited Sri Lanka to see how work is progressing rebuilding their homeland. Contacts have been established with orphanages, schools, church leaders and families to identify where the money can best be spent.

Mr Methananda said: "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."

The first fund raising project was the collection of food, shelters and medicines, working from a main collection and distribution point at 75 Canterbury Road, Westbrook, which became the KASTDA headquarters once the charity group was formed.

Other successful events have included Sri Lankan cultural and music evenings in Thanet and Canterbury and a cricket match. More events are planned for the New Year and will be announced on the KASTDA website.

KASTDA has supporters across the county and anyone interested in finding out more about its work or joining as a volunteer should telephone 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’.