Taunton's support for Turkey and Syria after earthquakes

The disaster has killed thousands and rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries.

On a visit to Turkish Community Centre in Taunton, Gideon Amos, local LibDem Parliamentary candidate, said: “The local Turkish community centre is becoming a really important focal point for families affected by the earthquake.

“Many local residents are already donating to the cause, despite the cost-of-living crisis everyone is having to deal with here in the UK. It just goes to show how generous our community can be.

“I witnessed the real shock among Taunton’s Turkish community - with several thousand in Turkey and Syria already known to have lost their lives, many families here in the UK have been closely affected by the earthquake.

“The British Red Cross are doing fantastic work in partnership with the Red Crescent and is a really good option if people are able to donate”.

Taunton-based Recep Hoca of the Somerset Turkish Community Centre said: "For now we need people to donate - we are working hard to plan what more people in Turkey need."

Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAFT) are also mobilising to help.

Founding chairman Federica Smith-Roberts, who is also LibDem leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council, said: “RAFT are looking at the ways we can respond to the tragic situation in Syria and Turkey.

“We will be working with partner organisations to continue the work we do supporting displaced people across the globe and locally. In the meantime, we ask people to support the Red Cross or Disaster Emergency committee and follow us on Facebook to see what support we will be able to give."

Mr Amos added: “Big reductions in aid from the UK by this Government has reduced our country’s ability to help and so any support from ordinary people becomes even more important.”

You can donate to assist the aid effort HERE.