AN Asian business organisation has challenged its members to raise £2,000 a week for a year in aid of tsunami relief.

The Asian Business Network, based in Newcastle, has set up the Tsunami Promise challenge. Network chairman Fazal-ur-Rehman said: "The sheer scale of this crisis is almost impossible to comprehend, and the full impact of the disaster may not be entirely clear for some time yet.

"Businesses cannot escape getting involved in the relief and recovery operations.

"At this stage, cash is crucial to provide aid for the victims and to help rebuild lives and livelihoods destroyed by the disaster. If our member companies embrace the Tsunami Promise, it will involve over 2,000 employees in the North-East donating just £1 a week for a year."

Donations can be sent to the Asian Business Network Tsunami Appeal, Asia House, 6A Brighton Grove, Newcastle.