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Fundraising for the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre

Please help me raise money for the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, by joining ‘Sandra’s Worldwide Alexander Lie in/Sit in’ on zoom on 15th July 2021 at 16.30 BST.  It is a cause close to my heart. For full details, check out my ‘Alexander Adventures’ page.

The Centre is actually a museum, located in Kanchanaburi in Thailand. It is entirely privately funded, relying upon income from international visitors and private donations. It is the passion of three men Rod Beattie,Terry Manttan and Andrew Snow who work tirelessly, with their team of dedicated staff, to provide information and support for relatives of Far East Prisoners of War captured by the Japanese in World War II. 

A major part of their work has been to compile a truly extensive research database which gives an accurate account of the fate of individual prisoners. All information is provided, upon request, free of charge. This is especially important to those of us who are in some way connected.  Our Fathers, Grandfathers and Uncles, were told ‘never to speak of’ the brutality they endured during the period of their captivity. A vast number of them have taken the horror of what they experienced ‘to the Grave’. Many families have spent years struggling to find out exactly what happened.

My Dad, Lance Corporal Arthur Cole, was one of those prisoners. Growing up I was somehow always aware that he had been a Japanese prisoner of War. He would not talk about it under any circumstances. He refused to buy anything made in Japan and much to my annoyance, he would not leave the UK. No foreign holidays for me as a child. Approaching the Museum, visiting on several occasions and getting to know the people who work there has changed my life. I finally discovered the true horror of what Dad suffered and endured. Yet he returned a mild-mannered man who went on to live a family life, resuming his employment with Sainsburys, until his retirement.

At the start of the pandemic, the Museum’s revenue all but dried up given Thailand immediately restricted the influx of international visitors. Running costs remain substantial even in lockdown.  They have managed to survive so far but this cannot continue indefinitely. I cannot bear the thought that they will be beaten by this virus so please help me to help them …

Go on! Give it a go! Join my ‘Worldwide Alexander Lie in/Sit’ on zoom on Thursday 15th July 2021 at 16.30 BST. Together we can keep the Death Railway Museum alive!

See you all there! 

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