A GROUP of volunteers from Chilmark-based charity Team Rubicon UK have been building bridges to reconnect communities hit by flooding in Sri Lanka.

The team of 14 from the disaster response charity, including Lee Brindley from Collingbourne Ducis, headed out to Sri Lanka on June 8.

They liaised with Mohan Samarasinhe of We Are One Sri Lanka, to find out where they were most needed.

Arriving just after the waters receded, the team, led by volunteer Lizzy Stileman, headed straight to the southern region of Matara where over 28,000 families have been affected.

Thanks to the efforts of Mohan, educator Tharangi Yapa and local Minister Chandana Priyantha, the team based themselves in Akuressa to support people in the surrounding area.

The Team Rubicon UK volunteers joined forces with the community of Akuressa to rebuild a bridge which has been reopened - connecting the community to essential transport links and to the school.

Local resident Soma said: "When the flood waters came, the old bridge was washed away. Four people died. But now, Team Rubicon have built this new bridge so quickly, the children can go to school, the parents can get to work, so we are all very happy."

The team is also working with a family whose home was virtually destroyed, leaving them extremely vulnerable.

Andy Hindhaugh, a volunteer who has previously deployed with Team Rubicon to disasters in the UK, said: “We have been able to donate our time, materials, tools and expertise to help finish a permanent home with secure roofing, to provide the family with desperately needed shelter. We have gratefully received the assistance of the local community, friends and neighbours, making this a real team effort.”

The father of the household said: "With how little I earn, we could not have done this alone. It is a blessing that we have had so much help from Team Rubicon."

A small team gas also been visiting community wells testing water for contamination and giving guidance on safe water usage.

Most of the group are due to be heading home later this week but a small team are staying on to continue identifying areas where help is still needed.

To find out more about Team Rubicon UK go to teamrubiconuk.org.