March 1 2010

Thanks to the generosity of Laing O'Rourke, construction has started on a new medical and community centre for young children left orphaned following the South East Asian tsunami.

At the 2009 Summer Bash Ray O'Rourke announced a $250,000 donation to Hands Across the Water, after hearing the charity's founder, Peter Baines, speak about his work helping Thai orphans.

"I made a commitment then that the money would be used towards building a medical and community centre in Baan Nam Khem, just up the road from where we have built two orphanages," Peter said.

"In January 2010, at the completion of our 800-kilometre bike ride from Bangkok to Khao Lak in which $392,000 was raised, we officially started construction of the new medical centre, which will be built and opened at the end of the 2011 ride."

He said building the medical centre within this timeframe would not have been possible without the generous support of Laing O'Rourke.

"As the founder and chairman of Hands Across the Water, I personally thank you for your generosity and support in helping change lives."