THERE's an opportunity to enjoy delicious homemade sushi — and raise money towards a very good cause — at a West Devon community café, starting this week.

The Charity Sushi Shop opened yesterday (Wednesday) at café Mavis in Milton Abbot.

Tamami Benjamin is running the shop every Wednesday to raise money to support survivors of March's devastating earthquake and tsunami in her Japanese homeland.

Tamami said: 'I will start making around 9.30am so the sushi should be ready for your lunch.  If you would like to learn how to make them you are more than welcome to come early and watch with a nice cup of coffee and cakes from the shop.

'I have no idea how many people would be interested  but I guarantee the sushi will be tastier and obviously fresher than those you can get at supermarkets.'

Available at the sushi shop will be smoked salmon maki-sushi; smoked mackerel and spring onion maki-sushi; tuna mayo maki-sushi; oinari-san (tofu based, vegetarian) and onigiri (rice ball with tuna, sesame, green nori, plum paste). There will be vegetarian options available for onigiri/maki-sushi to order in advance.

Tamami said: 'Fifty per cent of the profit will be sent to Dr Kuwayama at Tohoku International Clinic in Natori-city, Sendai, where they have been opening the clinic 24-hours a day for tsunami survivors, visiting and offering physical and psychological care, from physical therapy to playing football with children at evacuation centres, as well as visiting damaged homes with survivors to salvage items.  

'Dr Kuwayama wants to build a Tsunami Memorial Theatre and Library, where he can store all the true stories, memories and visual images for the next generation, as well as to help survivors not to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder by twisted or unreal memories.' 

Tamami said it would probably take more than 50 years for Japan to recover from this disaster.

'I don't think I will be able to keep running this charity sushi shop for that long, but I will be most grateful if I could contribute in making some kind of connection between Japan and the local community and perhaps turn people living here into sushi addicts!' said Tamami.

Anyone who would like to order sushi in advance can phone or text Tamami, on 01822 832160/07504 679334 or email [email protected]">[email protected]