Bismillah [hidayahnet] 100 DONATED BUSES ASSEMBLE FOR SHIPMENT: FOR USE BY CHILDREN IN TSUNAMI-HIT AREAS

[Islahonline]

Tuesday 7 June 2005 PRESS RELEASE 100 DONATED BUSES ASSEMBLE FOR SHIPMENT: FOR USE BY CHILDREN IN TSUNAMI-HIT AREAS   Today, 100 buses are assembling near Winchester from across the UK in preparation for shipment to the areas of Sri Lanka and Indonesia worst hit by the Boxing Day tsunami.   The mid-life buses, from double-deckers to minibuses, have been donated by bus and coach operators from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and Eire, as a practical response to the devastation of the Boxing Day tsunami. The appeal has taken six months to realise.   At an official handover tomorrow (Weds), attended by Ministers of the Governments of Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the vehicles pass into the hands of Islamic Relief. The charity will ship and distribute the buses with the receiving governments, and provide training for drivers.   The buses will be used exclusively by children; in Sri Lanka, Asia Bus Response vehicles will provide essential transportation to children currently unable to get to school in Galle, and in Indonesia they will become much-needed mobile classrooms for communities in the Ache area.   Mr Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Trade, Sri Lanka High Commission, said, "The arrival of these buses from Asia Bus Response will be seen by ordinary Sri Lankan people as the most visible and concrete benefit from the international community."   PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: TODAY, TUESDAY 7 JUNE The buses are being washed and mechanically checked at Solent Blue Line, Barton Park, Eastleigh, for assembly this afternoon at Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester.   OFFICIAL HANDOVER: TOMORROW, 10am WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE Treetops Restaurant, Marwell Zoological Park. With bus donors from all UK regions, representatives of Islamic Relief, Sri Lanka High Commission and Indonesian Embassy. Buses accessible from 8am.   ENDS   FOR THE FULL STORY & LIST OF BUS DONORS, VISIT www.asiabusresponse.co.uk   PR: Sabia Kamali Tel 020 8498 2093 Mbl 07944 502932 email [EMAIL PROTECTED]     quotes: Abdul Aziz Rajab-Ali Tel 020 8498 2095 Mbl 07900 470994 email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sabia Kamali Media Executive   Islamic Relief Unit 40: Uplands Business Park Blackhorse Lane London E17 5QJ   tel: 020 8531 6752 Direct Line: 020 8498 2093 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]  www.islamic-relief.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of Hidayahnet unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from Hidayahnet, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS  Visit your group "hidayahnet" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.