A SOUTHAMPTON University postgraduate student has helped raise £1,000 to buy vital water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts for the victims of the tsunamis disaster.

Alexander Bryant, who grew up in south-east Asia and is studying for a masters in business venturing, had planned to teach diving in Phuket over the Christmas break but the trip was cancelled.

The 22-year-old spent Boxing Day in Singapore with friends but felt he had to do something as some other friends had left Phuket just an hour before the tsunami hit.

Together they found a charity contact in Indonesia who told them of the vital equipment needed as well as the details of a supplies firm and shipping company.

Using their old school alumni network they managed to raise the money and all the supplies are due to be shipped out from Singapore and Malaysia next Monday.