Surfing Charities 

UK Surfing Charities unite to assist the victims of the recent natural disasters

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 November, 2009 : - - Three UK surfing organisations have come together to assist victims of the recent natural disasters in Surf related areas. Charities Surf Relief UK, and Christian Surfers UK, have joined up with the Welsh Coast Surf Club to raise funds to assist the two affected areas.

 Over a period of 24 hours at the end of September there were two very large movements in the ocean bed in the Indonesia/South Pacific area. A large Tsunami hit Samoa, and an earthquake struck  the city of Padang, in Sumatra. After the first 48 hours very little was heard of the death toll and devastation left behind. Thousands were killed in both disasters, and still many thousands of people need temporary shelter.

Surf Relief have matched funds raised through the last two Tsunami Cup competitions, which is a partnership event between Welsh Coast Surf Club and Christian Surfers Wales, held at Porthcawl in Autumn each year. This has meant that over £2000 will be donated to partners in the area.

In a related event Phil Williams trustee of Surf Relief UK, and head of Christian Surfers UK  is leading    a team of twelve heading to the area of the Hinako Islands off Sumatra in Indonesia on 10th November, with ‘Holidays with a purpose’ holidayswithpurpose.com.

They will be living on a boat for two weeks, and each day heading to the islands to be involved in numerous relief projects in the orphanages and with the local community. The team includes  sponsored surfers Nick Lloyd  ( Croyde ) and 13 year old Ed Smith from Liskeard.

The trip will be covered by photographer Tara Moller, and hopefully featured by one of the key UK Surf Magazines. Nick Lloyd who won the boat trip in a competition through Baggys Surf Lodge Croyde  said “  I have the amazing  opportunity to give something back to a community that has been devastated by the earthquake, and highlight  their amazing waves, community and their adversities”

Because of the links that ‘Holidays with a purpose’ have with the rescue teams in Padang, the team are raising as much as possible to be able to hand over to the team working directly in the area, and also in Samoa where so much destruction is evident. If you would like to assist with this relief effort you have the opportunity to donate by sponsoring Phil not to shave at all for the month of November, there will be the official ‘shaving’ of both moustache and beard – If it grows enough ( Unlike the hair on his head !!! ) at the end of the month. Log on to christiansurfers.co.uk/donate and pledge your support. Every little helps.

The charity will also be handing over a further £200 raised through its raffle competition of a surfboard at the Jesus Surf Series events, and UK Pro Tour events. This was  won by  Scott Badcock, from Birmingham. A big thanks to Tad ( Surf ) from Exeter for their support.
For any further information on any of the above don’t hesitate to get in touch phil@christiansurfers.co.uk 

www.baggys.co.uk
www.christiansurfers.co.uk
www.holidayswithpurpose.com
www.christiansurfers.co.uk/donate

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Phil Williams

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