THE Mayor of Chipping Sodbury has pledged to support victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami by launching a year-long fundraiser.

Cllr Roy Vickers is aiming to raise £30,000 to buy a fleet of boats for fisherman in Sri Lanka who lost their livelihoods in the disaster.

Cllr Vickers told the Gazette: "I, like everybody else, was choked when I saw the images of devastation on the news and I wanted to do something about it. The fact that these people have nothing is staggering."

He also stressed the fundraiser should be a long-term effort.

"These countries will need our support over the next 12 months to two years. If we can get these boats, the villagers can get back to work and start putting their lives back together," he added.

Cllr Vickers is also hoping to place a boat outside his shop, Vickers Stationery, in the High Street to chart the success of the project.

In the meantime, he is eager to recruit a committee of ten people to organise the mammoth task.

He said: "Each boat is estimated to cost £3,000 and we want to buy at least ten, so we have a huge task ahead of us.

"I want people to help me organise fundraisers, whether they are sponsored events like football and cricket matches or barbecues at people's homes." Meanwhile, members from Chipping Sodbury Yacht Club have pledged to help the cause and will be holding a fundraising event at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Friday, February 18.

Secretary Bunny Groves, told the Gazette: "As a yacht club that doesn't actually own any boats we feel we have something in common with the fishermen Sri Lanka and we would like to support any effort to get them a fleet of boats to get them back on their feet.

"We will be hosting a fundraising game of Around Sri Lanka which is a board game that people pay to play."

If you would like to join the Sodbury Town Boat Appeal or for more information on upcoming events you can do so by contacting Roy Vickers on 01454 322333 He said: "This is something the whole town can get involved with and in turn we can make a significant difference to a village."