THE widow of a York man killed in the Asian Tsunami is returning to Thailand to see how money raised in his memory is being spent.

Denise Magson will be going to Ko Phi Phi where her husband, Steve, 54, was swept away by the huge wave which engulfed the resort on Boxing Day 2004.

The Steve Magson Memorial Trust, a charity set up after his death, has now raised £25,000 which is helping people back into employment in the devastated region.

Mrs Magson, 43, said: "I'm going back for the second year to see the various projects we are supporting and investigate new ones.

"I will visit people on the fishing boats provided by the trust, as well as the ice cream van we bought, and also the memorial garden in Phi Phi.

"The idea is to help people who lost their livelihoods, and also people who lost their partners, as well as funding schools so we can support children through their education."

Her company director husband, of Holgate, York, was killed on the beach during the horrific wave, but Denise and their daughter, India, now 14, who had been kayaking, survived.

Three boats have been provided for villagers who lost their craft in the Tsunami, which are being used to ferry tourists, as well as a mobile ice-cream van for a woman whose husband was killed. The trust also has a relationship with York Minister, where Steve was a stonemason, and is presenting toolboxes to new apprentices when they begin work there.

Denise received a £2,000 cheque from her old friend, Celia Denton, whose colleagues at the Local Government Ombudsman's Office in Shipton Road, York, have raised the cash during a year of activities.

Mrs Denton, 41, an investigator, said: "Our families both came from Stillington and we were friends from being very young. When I moved back to York two years ago, we got back in touch and I remember being horrified by what happened in the Tsunami - but at that stage I didn't know that Denise and Steve were there.

"When I found out Steve had been killed and Denise's life completely changed I just wanted to do what I could to help."

Work colleagues have organised a garden party, competitions, raffles, a book sale and other events in aid of the charity.

A poetry evening at York's Friargate Theatre, which included work written by friends of Denise after the disaster, raised £500, which will go towards providing equipment for the Ko Phi Phi school. And a barn dance at Stillington Sports and Social Club, raised more than £700.

  • The trust website is www.stephen-magson-mt.org