BUILDER John Rogers is trying to raise £2,600 to provide homes for people in India who lost everything in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster 2004.

The 53-year-old, of Water Lily Close, Trowbridge, who runs his own building company QBS, is visiting Pondicherry, in the southern tip of the country, as part of India 2007 Building Futures, run by the charity Shelter.

Mr Rogers said: "I read about it in a flyer from my local suppliers Jewsons and I thought it was a good idea.

"We all remember the tsunami but although many millions were donated, a lot of the money has still not got through to those poor people and many are still homeless.

"As well as losing family members they lost absolutely everything they owned. Many are still living in tents.

"I wanted to do something at the time but I never knew how I could go about it. It's no good sending vast sums of money because it gets tied up in red tape but we can raise small amounts here and send people out there to do a job. I think it's a brilliant idea."

The tsunami, which hit the region on December 26, 2004, killed 7,942 people and destroyed or damaged 138,000 homes in the area where Mr Rogers will be working. Under the building futures scheme the volunteers work in groups of 20 to build new bungalows with running water and electricity for those who need shelter most.

While volunteers do not need building experience, Mr Rogers is hoping his expertise will be a bonus to his team.

He is now looking for sponsorship to raise £2,600. Some of the money is used towards the trip and building costs while the rest is used for homeless children in Britain.

He said: "I'm not wealthy but I've been reasonably privileged all my life and have always had a roof over my head so I feel it is my turn to do something. I'm giving up a week of my time and a week of wages but I need sponsorship.

"I've written letters to everyone including Tony Blair and Prince Charles but I've not even had a reply from many of them," he said.

"However, I have had money from Cereal Partners, Jewsons building merchants and my old local The Longs Arms pub."

Mr Rogers will be visiting India between April 21-29 and he still needs to raise about half the money.

To sponsor him contact (01225) 751440 or visit www.justgiving.com and type in John Rogers.