A charity has raised over £16,000 for victims of the devasatating earthquake in Syria.
The Al-Khair Foundation ran a Syria Earthquake Emergency Family Fundraising Day last Sunday to raise money for the Syrians who were left without homes after Turkey was hit with several big magnitude earthquakes.
Taking place at the 3D Centre on Bella Street from 12pm to 6pm, the day was packed with family fun and activities, including bouncy castles and rides, as well as a barbeque, stalls selling food, cakes and clothes.
Homes, hospitals, schools, mosques and other infrastructure have all been destroyed by the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes has now surpassed 40,000 and tens of thousands of people are still missing.
The earthquakes are the worst to affect Syria for over a century.
Al-Khair Foundation Founder and Chairman Imam Quasim, who is currently on the ground in Syria providing aid efforts, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful news that the fun-day raised such a large sum of money.
“This will make such a difference to the lives destroyed by this horrific earthquake.
“I want to thank the incredible community in Bolton for coming and supporting our efforts.
“The funds raised will allow us to continue our strenuous relief efforts and provide food packs, cooking kits, hygiene packs, water containers, medical support and tents for those who need it most.”
Mr Qasim has been aiding in the charity’s kitchen, camps and medical points between the villages Afrin and Jindires and is still in shock by the scale of the devastation.
The Al Khair Foundation team is working to complement the national relief efforts and has been distributing temporary shelters and tents, food packs, water containers, and sanitation kits to the people now homeless.
Medical support is also being provided while the team work to assess what else is needed.
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Mr Qasim is keen to provide as much support as the charity can and the veteran of many major incidents around the globe said he was truly shocked by what greeted him.
Al-Khair Foundation was founded in 2003 and runs support schemes across the UK, distributing more than £250 million in international humanitarian aid over the last decade.
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