From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
SOUTH EAST ASIA
EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
13 FEBRUARY 2006
Wakefield
Council is asking the community to help identify a specific area in
Pakistan to benefit from the district's fundraising efforts. Council
Leader Councillor Peter Box wants to focus on a Pakistan community to
contribute to its reconstruction. There is also a possibility of
developing long-term twinning links.
After
the October 2005 earthquake, Wakefield Council donated £10,000 through
the British Red Cross towards the relief effort. Over the last few weeks
the Council has worked closely with the South Asian community to
coordinate local support. Clothes, tents and blankets have been donated at
nine Wakefield Collection Centres and four deliveries have been sent to
Kashmir.
Councillor
Box said: "It is encouraging to see an active co-operation between
the Council and the community over the last few months to raise funds for
the relief and construction effort. We are now working together to look at
helping the region in the longer-term. The money which is being raised
will directly help a local community in Kashmir where schools, medical
facilities and community infra-structure are all badly needed. We would
like to see Wakefield twinned with a particular community in order to
focus our efforts and appeal funds."
By
the end of January 2006 the Wakefield Asian Welfare Association had raised
over £5,000 in a special appeal account. The Council's appeal account has
raised £6,250 through collections from Council services, employees who
donated instead of sending Christmas cards, and the public.
Proceeds
from the Next Generation Community Youth Project's 'Fast for Peace',
Wakefield Rotary Club's collection at the annual Bonfire event, Sandal
Manga Junior and Infant Parent and Toddler Group's Cultural Event for
Women and a Council staff Christmas event organised by Cllr Peter
Loosemore were all added to the funds.
Fund-raising
efforts are continuing for the foreseeable future, including in all
Wakefield schools. A Charity Dinner is also being planned for March.
Please
donate to either WMDC South Asia Earthquake Appeal at the Co-operative
Bank, Sort Code 089020 AC No 61513390 or WAWA (Wakefield Asian Welfare
Association) T/A Pakistan Earthquake Appeal, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sort
Code 16-33-27, Account No 10150667 Charity No. 4499060 .
For
further information on the appeal contact Nasim Aslam at the Council's
Cohesion Team on 01924 305735 or cohesion@wakefield.gov.uk
Ref:
PR714
Date: 13/02/06
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