WHEN an Amazon chief living in Hampshire launched a plea for volunteers to save his stricken rainforest retreat he aimed to recruit a dozen people.

Incredibly, nearly ten times as many people signed up to help “gringo chief” Michael Read rebuild his eco-hotel in Peru following a Daily Echo report.

But joy has turned to despair for the 71-year-old as only two of 100 volunteers can make the three-week scheduled trip to rebuild a new camp.

The Curaca Camp is one of two jungle settlements home to Mr Read’s Peru Experience tourist company – a conservation project offering basic living quarters deep in the rainforest.

He constructed it in 2007 after holidaying there with his Peruvian wife Amalia.

The collection of log cabins also provides livelihoods for 25 villagers from the native Yagua tribe who work as guides and labourers.

But the structures – sleeping 12 people – are now rotten and riddled with termite holes and it is too dangerous for people to stay there anymore.

Mr Read wants at least 12 volunteers to help create a new site a mile away and also needs help raising the £10,000 towards construction costs.

The retired teacher and taxi driver who wears a traditional champa – knee length skirt – when returning to the village for six weeks every year, said: “We are very grateful for the interest and amazed by the number of people wanting to help, but for a variety of reasons people are unavailable to make the dates.

“We’ve had everyone from teenagers to retired people and from builders, carpenters and tree surgeons to teachers and office workers.

“We still desperately need people so that this dream can still be a reality.”

Volunteers will fly over in October to create a new chief’s cocamera – a roundhouse of branches and living quarters for 20 people with a separate dining room and rest area.

Mr Read is also in talks with a Hampshire-based pest control company to see if a member of staff can join them and help deal with the termite invasion.

He added: “It means we can start again and create a new settlement with more cabins and it will transform the lives of those living there.”

He is hosting a fundraising gig towards construction costs on Friday, September 6, at Hedge End Conservation Club in Upper Northam Close Doors open at 9pm and it stars the classic rock band Stoned F.

Tickets cost £10 and are available by contacting 023 8036 6114 or 07801 507 100 or email michealread@peru-experience.

com to donate.

See peru-experience.com to volunteer.