Surely we, the global Koi community, can do more to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami

By keeping Nishikigoi every Koi keeper around the globe has an intrinsic connection with Japan.

Since the disaster began to unfold last Friday afternoon there have been assorted messages on bulletin boards around the world, ideas to raise money, etc, etc.

As a Koi community with many many direct links to Japan and Japanese people surely we can do more to help people as a matter of urgency.

I popped in to see Shintaro this afternoon to learn from Hiromi san that he had driven to the earthquake hit area to take blankets.  As you may have seen snow has closed in on the affected area where 100's of thousands of people are homeless living in makeshift accomodation, living on the floors of school buildings, just as the victims of the Chuetsu earthquake did in 2004 as winter closed in.

Just 200km people are without basic provisions, water, food, and bedding.  Shops here in Niigata are still full of such items.

As I wrote the other day, since the occurence of the disaster I've not really not what to do to help.

With your help I'm prepared to go and buy every blanket I can lay my hands on, every bottle of water, every cup noodle and get them to the people in the disaster zone.

Please post a link to this message everywhere you possibly can.

We need to help these people in their grave hours, days and weeks of need ahead.

Edit 17.37 17th March 2011

In my original post I didn't mention how to provide financial help.  One visitor clicked the 'donate' button above to send some money, so the ball is rolling.  I have set an initial target of £1000, as soon as reached I will set about acquiring supplies and getting them to those that need them.  If everyone that reads this message gave just £1 we'd be there past the target by daybreak.  I believe that Koi keepers of the world could help us start delivering things by the weekend.

Should the £1000 not be reached the money will all be donated through the Red Cross.

All money less nominal PayPal charges will go to purchasing goods.  All receipts will be kept and I am happy to have my PayPal account checked by independent witnesses.

Edit 19.17 17th March 2011 - The goalpost just moved

My good friends at Yamakoshi Mura Malaysia have just donated an amazing £1000 which mean 1st of all we are in business!

However, please don't sit back and think 'that's OK then', the new target for today is £2000, we can do it!

Edit 20.05 17th March 2011 - Goalpost moved again

Another substantial donation has just come in pushing us through the £3000 barrier, I've moved the target to £5000, you guys are truly awesome.

Edit 20.48 17th March 2011 - A new target

Another amazing pledge has been received which pushes us through the £5000 mark.  1 million yen is around £7600, let's target £7750 to put us through the 1 million yen, a huge amount.