THOUSANDS of pounds raised in South West Durham have helped restore a sense of pride to a shattered community devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.

Pub landlord Derek Campbell embarked on a mercy mission to the community of Beruala, two hours drive from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to ensure the money, which was raised by customers at his pub The Aclet, in Bishop Auckland, as well as The Oak Tree pub, in Newton Aycliffe, and the Villa Spice restaurant, in Ramshaw, was spent helping people who needed it the most.

Struggling from jet lag after a long journey and a gruelling road trip to get to his destination, Mr Campbell worked with locals to try and restore pride to the community.

He said: "I had children kneeling at my feet. It was very humbling. I visited two schools and four refugee camps and the people had nothing. It was very tiring because I was never off the road."

It was decided that the schoolchildren needed help to get them back into their education.

Mr Campbell said: "A school uniform means everything. They may be poor, but they are proud people. Parents would go without food to make sure that their children had uniforms and decent shoes to go to school with."

The money was used to support 260 children whose schools had been lost. They are now learning in two surviving schools and each were kitted out with new uniforms and stationery.

Teachers were also given a helping hand with new saris and umbrellas to protect them from the heat.

Funds also helped to re-house one family further inland because their four-year-old daughter was so traumatised by the event that she could not settle.

Another man is now able to go out and earn a living once more after some of the money raised bought a new kayak for him to go fishing.

A total of £4,000 was raised and Mr Campbell said he believes he has done the right thing by going out and spending the money in the community.

He said: "I wanted something for everyone, but I am glad we have been able to do a lot for a small community because it has made such a difference.

"Customers and businesses have been so good with donations. It is nice to show them what they have managed to achieve."

* The £4,000 was used to relocate one family further inland, buy a new kayak for a fisherman, who can now go out and earn a living again, provide bottled water, provided cooking oil, and provide cleaning materials. It also paid for 260 pairs of shoes, 520 pairs of socks, 1,000 items of underwear, 260 pairs of shorts, 260 shirts, 120 skirts, ten saris for teachers, 240 school bags, 720 exercise books, 720 pens, 720 pencils, 260 rulers, 720 erasers, and 260 umbrellas for use in hot weather.