This year The Swim Team has chosen to donate all profits from the MRS 2011 to supporting the rebuilding of a primary school in Ofunato, which is a large town located in Iwate prefecture, Japan.
Ofunato was reported to have been “wiped off the map” by the tsunami following the Tohoku earthquake earlier this month. According to police, every building smaller than three stories high has been completely flooded. In fact the town's theatre was one of only a few buildings left standing and is giving shelter to over 250 survivors. The city’s tsunami shelters were designed for a wave of 3-4m in height, but the tsunami of March 2011 created a wave over 23m in height which inundated the designated safe locations. Funnelled in by the narrow bay, the tsunami continued inland for 3km. Although the town was well prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis, it was not enough and more than 25% of the 15,000 houses were swept away. Ofunato's schools had the largest amount of damage of all towns and cities in Iwate prefecture.
Through links we are setting up between iCAN British International School and educators in Ofunato, we will be fundraising to help rebuild one of the local primary schools. Any profits from the MRS 2011 will be donated to this cause.
If any registered swimmers or spectators would like to donate additional funds on the Swim morning of the event or afterwards, then please contact The Swim Team at mekongriverswim@yahoo.com
Thank you for your support!
See you on Sunday!
The Swim Team
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