THE MORNING of December 26 2004 will forever be on the minds of millions of people around the world for the loss of life and devastation in the South East Asia tsunami tragedy. One of the places deeply affected by the devastation is the Pak Weep Village, situated in the Phang Nga region of southern Thailand. The tsunami waves left widespread grief and hardship. Six months on and, although many are starting to rebuild their lives, much help is still needed.
With all this in mind, the St. Andrews Society in Portugal decided that they would try to help some of those people who were left with very little or nothing. Following on from a golf tournament ably won by the Scots last Friday morning, the evening saw something entirely different – a Midsummer Masked Ball.
Ballgowns and dinner jackets were the order of the evening and there were most elegant and intriguing masks at the Palácio Hotel in Estoril, who provided an excellent menu.
With His Excellency The Thai Ambassador Mr. Pensak Charalak, and his wife Mrs. Oranuch Charalak, in attendance, the evening got into full swing with the jovial Master of Ceremonies for the night, David Styan, ex-headmaster at St Julian’s School.
Dinner over, washed down with excellent wine, it was time to get those dancing shoes worn a little and the band struck up lively music to get everyone in the mood.
Throughout the evening, the golf awards took place and continuous updates were made on how the total monies raised were increasing. The 3,000 euro target passed to great applause. Raffles drawn and out of the way, the golf prizes awarded and the best mask prize, won by Mrs Anita Beselin, awarded, then came the next update on the total raised – it smashed the 6,000 euro target. With this amount, two houses could be built in Pak Weep! A huge applause went up, more dancing and then came the next update – 9,500 euros. With this amount, two houses could be rebuilt and a much needed fishing boat could be purchased.
By the end of the evening, the 10,000 euro mark had been reached! Someone’s life will change due to the work of St Andrews Society and, of course, the event’s sponsors. The St Andrews Society wishes to thank Air Berlin, Choupana Hills Resort & Spa, El Corte Inglés, Monarch Scheduled, Pestana Palace Hotel, Sana Hotel, Sol Hoti Hotel, Sheraton Hotel Lisboa, Sheraton Hotel Porto, David and Carolyn Styan, Tivoli Marinotel, Vigia Group, Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal for wine, Group Novembro for music, Hotel Palácio for subsidising the meals, Natascha Adams and Madeleine Wagner for table masks, Navajo’s Café for doughnuts, Prime Drinks for pre dinner and after dinner drinks, all who donated prizes for the tombola and everyone who attended for their generosity.
Now, we appeal to you, our readers: if the tsunami has touched your heart and you still have done nothing about it, please do give generously to the St Andrews Appeal initiative to help rebuild the village of Pak Weep. For details on how you can help, email [email protected] To find out about the progress on the project, go to www.patana.ac.th.Bob Hughes
