Original article at: http://bluebelldigital.co.uk/eastgrinsteadonline/filipino-fishing-boats-named-in-east-grinsteads-honour/
THE Town Council’s Katrina Hamill was on a family holiday in the Philippines when the organisers of the disaster relief charity Peter Project asked if she would like to attend the official hand-over of fishing boats paid for by East Grinstead in the wake of last November’s Typhoon Haiyan.
The town raised thousands of pounds for the devastated islands at a variety of events including a Flame of Hope concert at Chequer Mead theatre supported by the Trust and the Town Council, and a charity night at the Tarana restaurant in Lingfield, plus donations from Our Lady and St Peter’s Catholic church which numbers many Filipinos amongst its congregation. A further £750 was raised at a music festival held at Sackville school.
“It was so touching to be there in person,” said Katrina. “I got to meet all the recipients, who were very tearful at the town’s generosity, and to hear the stories about how Haiyan had affected their lives.”
Katrina said she was impressed by the organisation of the Peter Project which will take a continuing interest in the boats and their owners, and also by the fact that by donating fishing boats East Grinstead has made a real investment in the whole community.
“These boats have restored their livelihoods, and will sustain them and their families long into the future.”
But Katrina says she felt a little guilty at finding herself the recipient of such overwhelming gratitude on the part of the fishing community.
“I had to keep explaining that the new boats were a gift from the whole of East Grinstead and I was just representing the town because I happened to be there visiting my family.” But the occasion has left Katrina with happy memories of a uniquely special and heart-warming holiday.
* The other half of the money raised by East Grinstead is being spent on the restoration of a school destroyed in the typhoon disaster which left swathes of death and destruction in its wake. Restoration work has started and we will keep you updated on progress.