TSUNAMI SOCCER AID HAILED A HUGE SUCCESS The Tsunami Soccer Aid event that was staged at Anfield on Easter Sunday is been hailed a huge success.

Nine months since a team of Liverpool legends took on a Celebrity XI to raise funds for the victims of the terrible disaster in South East Asia, event organisers have revealed the full extent of its success.

As the poignant first anniversary of the disaster looms, a press conference was held at Anfield where it was announced that over half a million pound had been generated.

"In pure financial terms the Tsunami Soccer Aid event staged at Anfield on Easter Sunday 2005 was a huge success," says football agent Dave Lockwood, who together with former Red Jason McAteer was one of the main driving forces behind the event.

"£515,961 was raised and donated to both Save the Children and Merlin charities to help support their ongoing relief work following the unprecedented Tsunami disaster which struck South East Asia on Boxing Day 2004."

Lockwood also explained the lasting legacy of Soccer Aid and added: "Although this 'one-off' event is unlikely to be repeated, its impact will provide lasting benefits to the Tsunami victims. £412,769 is helping to maintain Save the Children's 'Shelter Project' – enabling local populations to return to their villages through the provision of secure and permanent housing.

"Undoubtedly, the qualified success of Tsunami Soccer Aid is a clear demonstration of how with sufficient focus, energy and motivation, individuals with no specialist knowledge or prior experience of fund-raising can make a real and lasting difference to the lives of those in need."

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