Thousands of church members are being mobilised to assist victims of Hurricane Dean in restoring their lives, Errol Rattray, Chairman of Hope 2000, said.

Mr. Rattray told The Gleaner yesterday that the organisation that spearheaded a clean-up programme throughout the Corporate Area prior to the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 has embarked on a restoration project in the wake of the hurricane.

Members being rallied

The president and chief executive officer of Errol Rattray Evangelistic Association said that skilled members of the church community are being rallied to take charge of repair work needed among families in about five parishes.

"We are getting together skilled persons, such as carpenters, who will help people to come back to normal life," Mr. Rattray said.

The evangelist welcomed the idea posed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding of next weekend, September 29 and 30, being dedicated to post-Hurricane Dean restoration work.

"Certainly, we will be mobilising the Christian community to assist on that day," Mr. Rattray.

The chairman could not state exactly how many church members, with assistance from outside, would be a part of the restoration programme. However, he said that more than 3,000 persons participated in the Cricket World Cup project.