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Adventurer returns with aid, stories
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| Sir Edward Artis
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| Robert Marcarelli |
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He's a knighted West Hills philanthropist who has brought antibiotics to Sri Lanka, delivered nets to fishermen, helped plan a Westlake Village church's house-building mission, and told stories the whole time.
In adventures confirmed by others, the 59-year-old maverick has flown into hostile countries wearing a parachute, been knighted in Moscow and helped rescue 43 Rwandan nuns.
He came to Sri Lanka 16 years ago to help shoot the movie "Iron Triangle" and made friendships that compelled him to return after the tsunami with his relief group, Knightsbridge International.
That's why he was on a beach with fishermen who needed boats.
"I could throw money at it but that's arrogant," he said. "It's their candle. I have to find a way to light it."
Knightsbridge has delivered aid to Cambodia, Afghanistan and other places torn by need. Artis' partners include Thousand Oaks filmmaker Robert Marcarelli and four others from a group of knights patterned after the ancient Order of Malta.
They pride themselves on getting aid to places others can't.
"You have to step out on the edge to experience the power of one," Marcarelli said, referring to the ability of one small group to make change.
Marcarelli is the bridge between Knightsbridge and the relief team from Westlake Village, mapping out the group's plan to build homes south of Colombo.
There, Artis told another story: About suffering a heart attack a year ago but not giving up relief work.
"This is the right thing for us to be doing," he explained.
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