FOUNDER of Eden-based charity Curry Aid, Jessie Oddy, is making a plea for volunteers and donations to build a home for the orphans of the Tsunami disaster, reports Karen Morley.

Tonight (Wednesday) Jessie is hosting a cookery demonstration and meal at Soulby Village Hall, which has been sponsored by Appleby Business Centre. Appleby butchers Norman and Jean Dowding and Joan and Cyril Show are supplying the meat and Anne Holden, of Sebergham, has donated raffle prizes. Ann Bell of Appleby has also produced posters and tickets for the event.

Jessie, who was featured in The Messenger last month, highlighting her voluntary fund-raising curry nights, set up Curry Aid originally to take Christmas gifts and much needed resources to children in the Tamil Nadu region of India. But, when she heard they needed to build a house for the orphans, Jessie also offered to raise more funds to help get the project off the ground.

Jessie said: "Everyone has been so generous so far, and we have raised £2,800. But we desperately need to raise more before I go out to India on January 10. I would like to raise £3,600 by the first anniversary of the tsunami on Boxing Day.

"Private donations have also been made by individuals, groups holding their own fund-raising events or even relatives giving a donation in memory of a loved one. Patricia Lee, from Morecambe, has raised £1,000 to add to the total through various events in her area."

Jessie is in the process of registering the charity to help children in both the tsunami orphanage and a tribal orphanage in the same area. Jessie moved to Appleby from her native India when she married her husband Allan more than 20 years ago. Together they are financing their own return trip to India to see for themselves how they can help the children with Curry Aid and distribute funds all of which go directly to the children with no expenses taken out.

Anyone who wants to offer support of any kind can contact Jessie on 017683 51227.