FOREST-BASED UN delegate Padmini Nissanga, who raised thousands of pounds for the Sri Lanka Tsunami appeal in 2004, is launching a new appeal after a flood disaster in her home country.

Mini, who is the International Buddhist Relief Organisation representative on the UN, has enlisted the help of Cinderford' s Marion Grosvenor, who will take financial donations at her home at 19, Firview Road, Cinderford. She can be contacted on 01594 826478.

Up to 400,000 children in north east Sri Lanka are facing a food crisis after the latest devastation, which was caused by torrential pre-monsoon rains lashing the country for over a week. In the past six years the same area has been hit by floods three times, said Mini.

She is hoping for a similar response to 2004, when donations from the Forest totalled about £1,500 and enabled them to rebuild houses and a school in a flood-hit village.

"The most important thing is to get clean water and food to the flood victims," she said. Donations can also be dropped in to The Forester office at 43-47 High Street, Cinderford, GL14 2SL.