Australian Charity Founder to Run Nearly Entire Length of Thailand for Tsunami Anniversary

Peter Baines, an Australian charity founder and forensic investigations expert, will undertake an ambitious challenge to run nearly the entire length of Thailand over 26 days starting on December 1st. The 1,400 km "Run to Remember" aims to mark the 20th anniversary of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and raise $1 million for the Hands Across the Water charity that Baines co-founded.

Baines was deeply impacted by his experiences in Thailand in the aftermath of the tsunami, where he was deployed as part of the forensic team. His interactions with the orphans he met during that time inspired him to establish Hands Across the Water, which has raised an impressive $30 million over the past two decades to support social welfare projects in Thailand.

Why this matters: The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, claiming over 227,000 lives across 14 countries. Baines' run not only commemorates this tragic event but also highlights the ongoing need for support and aid in the affected regions, even 20 years later.

The charity's initiatives include funding the construction of a hospitality training center to provide vocational education opportunities for underprivileged youth. Through the "Run to Remember" challenge, Baines hopes to raise the profile of Hands Across the Water in Thailand and generate substantial funds to further their mission.

Reflecting on the past 20 years since the tsunami, Baines described the journey as one filled with "both incredible highs and desperate lows" on a personal level. He expressed his desire for the run to "tie a bow around the 20 years" and bring a sense of closure to this significant chapter in his life and the lives of those impacted by the disaster.

Key Takeaways

• Australian charity founder to run 1,400km in Thailand to mark 20 years since 2004 tsunami
• Charity he co-founded, Hands Across the Water, has raised $30M for social welfare projects
• 2004 tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters, claiming over 227,000 lives
• Charity funds a hospitality training center to provide vocational education for underprivileged youth
• Run aims to raise $1M and bring closure to the 20-year journey since the devastating disaster