YOUNG VOLUNTEERS from Tayside and Fife are making final preparations for their role in supporting projects, which include the rebuilding of Asia’s tsunami ravaged communities.

A year on from the devastating disaster, Link Overseas Exchange will be sending some of its latest group of volunteers to Sri Lanka to continue the work the charity has carried out in the country over many years.

The Link programme was originally established in Angus by the Rev Andrew Greaves and his wife Vicky, and is now based in Dundee where Mr Greaves is minister at West Church in Perth Road.

Nearly 30 Link volunteers have gathered at The Burn residential centre in Edzell for a final training get- together before embarking for projects in India, Sri Lanka and China.

The organisation has also been appointed by the lord provost’s tsunami appeal in Dundee to co-ordinate the effort to build a community centre in Sri Lanka.

Mr Greaves said the organisation hoped to make major strides towards that this year, with £90,000 already gathered.

“We are also supporting an HIV/AIDS programme in Pune, India, and working with Dundee University and others to enable undergraduate volunteers to participate in their summer vacation,” he said.