Letter to the Editor: The 2004 tsunami and the Mayo connection
Sir,
I PAY tribute to RTÉ 2 for broadcasting two episodes to mark the 20th anniversary of the the tsunami which devastated coastal areas in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Somalia and other countries.
The death toll was estimated at 230,000 to 280,000 people, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history. Millions were left homeless, injured, or displaced.
This story concerns a couple who left the Midfield/Swinford area of Co. Mayo well before World War II.
James Forkan was the son of Andy Forkan and Bridget Tunney. He was born in Midfield, one of several children. Mary Reilly came from the nearby village of Tullinahoo.
Both families have many current family members and relations in the vicinity. Several Forkan families are in the Swinford/Kiltimagh area of east Mayo.
James and Mary were in England before World War II. The family returned to live in the Swinford area for security reasons during World War 11.
In the late '40s, the family returned to England and James resumed his career in the building and civil engineering industry while Mary raised their five children. In the 1960s, James entered the retail business and was very successful.
This is our story about Kevin, the youngest of this lovely couple. He also had business acumen and a free-spirit approach to life.
He met and married Sandra, who also had no fear of doing things outside the normal. They were deeply in love and well-matched for each other.
By 2001 they had six children from six years upwards. In that year, both parents decided to take their four youngest children on a trip of a lifetime.
They decided to explore Asia and its rich cultures. Having sold their home in Purley, Surrey, all six set out for the open road, minus the two eldest children.
They spent the first year in India and they enjoyed its vibrant way of life. From there they moved to Sri Lanka. The children's names are Rob, Paul, Rosie and Mattie. They spent Christmas 2004 in a small fishing village called Weligama. They had a special Christmas lunch at the nearby Neptune Resort.
Then their way of life was to dramatically change forever. On the morning of St. Stephen’s Day, a huge tsunami struck the coastline causing havoc in its path.
The family woke up to screams as huge waves destroyed everything in their path. There was panic as everybody tried to escape the destruction.
It was the survival of the fittest as all four children clung to what remained stable. The family saw the sink torn from the wall and furniture turned into matchsticks.
Both parents were missing, as well as Rosie the youngest. Eventually, the survivors began to emerge dazed and traumatised. There were dead people everywhere.
After many hours, Paul and Bob found Rosie, who had a deep gash on her arm with muscle exposed. She was in a deep state of shock as she said there was no pain.
They gathered in a mosque where they met a German woman whom they had known in the hotel. All four children watched her eat a Toblerone while they were starving for at least nine hours.
The children never forgot the scene, but the worst was to come. The children never saw their parents again.
The story of how these orphans made their way to the nearest airport, 200 km away, is heroic. The journey took two whole days. Here they were taken care of by the British Embassy.
In due course, they were flown back to the UK, where there was an emotional reunion with Marie and Jo, the two eldest girls.
Marie, who was 22 years at the time, put her wedding and her job in pharmaceuticals on hold as she and Liam took her four siblings into their home in Farnborough in Hampshire.
Three months later the bodies of their parents were found. The entire family and friends were able to say their farewells in a highly emotional funeral service in Hampshire. The funeral service has many vivid memories 20 years on.
As often happens, out of great tragedy comes a profound ability to make a difference. And this story is no different. Bob and Paul wanted to make a difference.
They put their experience of travel to work by creating a new kind of durable flip-flop. In 2012 they launched a brand-new business called Gandys.
The idea of casual beachwear grew out of the boys’ experience in Asia, Australia and America. Immediately the brand was acknowledged by famous people, including Richard Branson, who wears the flip-flops in his private retreat in the Caribbean.
But that is not all. Profits from the business support orphans all over Asia. The charity is called Orphans for Orphans.
As a result of their extraordinary success, the brothers have been recognised by Queen Elizabeth and Princes William and Harry. You have guessed correctly; the boys wore flip-flops on all the royal occasions.
The two young men have been recently acknowledged as Exceptional Young Leaders and they have been to Buckingham Palace.
So, from very humble beginnings, just outside Swinford, emerges a brand with international recognition. We never know what surprises future generations can achieve. I know for a fact that two lovely people from Midfield would be very proud of the name ‘Forkan’.
Tsunami Kids – Our Journey from Survival to Success by Bob and Paul Forkan (Michael O’Mara Books) priced at £16.99 is out now. A percentage of the profits will support the Gandys Foundation.
Yours sincerely,
Fr. Tom Grufferty,
68 Carrowmore Meadows,
Kiltimagh Road,
Knock,
Co. Mayo.
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