Toby backs Japandisaster appeals

Now the 30-year-old is back home he wants to use his experience to raise funds for disaster relief.

Toby, son of Dru and Nick Tramaseur of Brassey Road, is a former St Richard’s pupil who currently plays violin with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra which was touring in Japan when tragedy struck. He was accompanied on the trip by wife Midori ,whose mother lives in Chiba, near the Tokai reactor, and she has other close family members there.

At the time the earthquake struck Tokyo, Toby was on a bus crossing a high bridge, and thrown ever closer to the edge with the danger of falling down into the sea. He has suffered nightmares since but feels the trauma does not compare to the devastation experienced by the many who lost “everything”.

Toby, in Manchester, told the Observer this week; “The orchestra witnessed the largest earthquake in Japan’s history and we are incredibly fortunate to be back in one piece.

“So much attention in the wider media has been focused on the nuclear reactors in Fukushima that the suffering affecting over 400,000 people still without enough food and water and living in temporary accommodation has been somewhat neglected. Needless to say the devastation for the families of those killed by the Tsunami will continue far longer.

“This was my fifth visit to this wonderful country (we have tried to go every year since we met!) and what always strikes me is their deep kindness and humility and respect for fellow man.

“This has only been reinforced in the face of such a widespread disaster where families are opening their doors to complete strangers to share their grief.

“To sum up the words of our conductor for the Tour, Yutaka Sado - “What the people of Japan need now is to survive through the help of aid, electricity, food and shelter. Later they will need music and when that time comes we shall return to complete the concerts that had to be cancelled.”

He asks if anyone is able to help in any way, donations can be made to the Red Cross (www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami) or by telephone on 0845 53 53 53 as well as Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-appeal.htm) or by telephone on 0207 012 6400.