Latest update from BEATS:
BEATS was set up in 2007 by THIS CHURCH! One current trustee is a member of St John’s Southbourne, namely Martin Fair. Feel free to also chat to Julie Collins, Elaine Hooper, Geoff Collett and Ian Maclennan (ex-trustees) about BEATS.
BEATS was born from this congregation’s desire to help the 240,000 victims of the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami and, since its conception, has largely focused its work in Indonesia, near the epicentre of the earthquake, where 175,000 people died.
The charity was set up because of this church’s desire to
a) have no ‘middle-men’, therefore to know that 100% of our giving reaches the people for whom it is intended,
b) to take nothing from BEATS funds for expenses (which are personally covered by trustees),
c) be a Christian presence in the country (Indonesia) that has more Muslims than any other country in the world; reaching them through practical help, love, emotional support, prayer and faithfulness; trying to be Jesus’ hands and feet through a servant-hearted yet wise approach. We also help Christians and have also helped Hindus.
Since then, BEATS has also helped victims of many other earthquakes and tsunamis.
Currently, work includes:
1. Medan, Sumatra, supporting YACAN Children’s Home, largely helping victims of the 2005 Easter Monday Nias Island earthquake. This Christian home of about 40 young people was set up in 2010 by YACAN, with dedicated, servant-hearted Indonesian staff who love the young people and which has daily devotions, worship etc. BEATS is slowly winding down support for YACAN, whose earthquake victims are becoming fewer as they grow up, leave and launch themselves into adulthood! However, some who have already left are being supported through university via a trusted individual, Habel, well-known to trustees.
2. Ambon, East Indonesia, which supports victims of the September 2019 earthquake. This work is now a main focus for BEATS, via an Ambon Bethel Church, a registered Indonesian charity. BEATS are supporting in 3 ways:
a) Rebuilding houses that collapsed in the earthquake for families who have been living in homemade shacks. As a small charity, this is a one-by-one process. St. John’s mission tithe has contributed towards building Houses 15, 17 and 19. Praise God! In June/July 2026 BEATS are hoping that House No. 20 will be built.
b) Micro-business loans, to help poor families who are earthquake victims make a start in self-sufficiency; such as, cooking, small shops, fishing.
c) Family/child sponsorship. A few young people are STILL waiting for a sponsor! Please help if you can with any monthly amount. Check out the ‘sponsor’ page on the BEATS website. www.beatscharity.co.uk/sponsor
3. BEATS also supports much work in a third, undisclosed area, especially with micro-business start-ups and disaster-preparedness training.
4. During the latter half of 2025, a member of St John’s kindly ran the equivalent of 10 marathons, raising £3,500 for BEATS, to help build and equip a midwifery clinic on Nias Island. By the end of 2026, the clinic should be up and running, ably led by a midwife who was an earthquake victim and whom BEATS has supported through school and midwifery university training. A number of local midwives hope to visit the clinic in 2026.
Thank you for reading thus far!
Speak with Martin Fair if you would like to join us on the trustee team; at this time we are particularly looking for one or two women.
Donate to ‘British Earthquake And Tsunami Support’ Sort code: 08-92-99 A/C No: 65248849 Ref: your surname, please, or post a cheque to BEATS 47 Arnold Way Bosham PO18 8NJ. If you would like to sponsor a child, student or family, or support BEATS General Fund or Building Fund, please check out the website, email beatscharity@gmail.com or Text/WhatsApp 07940 454420
BEATS generally operate using ‘designated funds’, but have ‘restricted funds’ for house-building. BEATS Annual Reports and Accounts are all on the BEATS website. www.beatscharity.co.uk
Top Right photo is the old house roof before rebuilding. Top Left photo is the new home (House No. 10).
Lower photo is 3 sponsored children in Ambon with Dad and Grandma, BEATS Chair (Sarah Page) and Pastor John (in the red shirt) who organises the Ambon work for BEATS.
Further details of the work of BEATS can be found at https://www.beatscharity.co.uk/