Hands was set up as a direct result of Peter Baines personally witnessing the devastating effects of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Peter worked in Thailand as part of the response team following the Tsunami. During his time in Thailand Peter worked with Gill Williams from the UK Police who introduced him to the needs of a number of Thai children who lost both parents and were living in a tent. Sadly, many had also lost members of their extended families and their homes and villages were destroyed.

Peter wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way to the lives of the many children who had been orphaned by the Tsunami and it was through this belief that with Gill, Hands Across the Water Australia and UK was born.