Robert Stratton                          10.02.1951 - 02.11.2010

Robert was a founder trustee of the BuildAid construction charity formed after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  He was responsible for all of the legal aspects of the charity and also assisted with the delivery of aid in the third world.  

In the last five years he travelled extensively overseas, all as an unpaid volunteer delivering much needed aid in Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and Nepal.  His hard work has improved the lives of literally thousands of children in Sri Lanka who now attend refurbished schools, drink potable water from a newly drilled bore hole, which also supplies the entire community and, in addition, they are now able to attend a modern dental surgery installed at one of the schools.  He also assisted partner charities in building an orphanage in Kulleegoda and in providing housing for displaced fishermen at Balapitiya.  All of this achieved in only 4 years! 

As if that were not enough, he has also been working on assessments for two new hospital projects such as the Lalgadh Leprosy Treatment Centre in Nepal.  The scheme there involves creating new facilities at the specialist hospital in multiple buildings, to include a new building housing an ante-natal and maternity unit, an x-ray department, day surgery and 25 bed ward.  I have been advised by the hospital that this building will be dedicated to Rob’s memory as a mark of respect and in appreciation of his efforts.  The other hospital Rob has been involved with is in Jimma, Ethiopia which is due to be built next year; once built it will be the only specialist plastic surgery and burns unit in Ethiopia, quite a legacy. 

Rob was also a generous benefactor and fundraiser, tirelessly raising monies for the charity and donating his own cash on a regular basis.

He has never ceased to amaze me not least when he launched himself out of an airplane at 13,000 ft on a sponsored skydive - he will be sorely missed by all. 

Robert Muir – Chair to Trustees and Co-founder