Ross-shire rallies to help Turkey and Syria as earthquake death toll tops 24,000
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
PEOPLE in Ross-shire have reacted swiftly and with generosity to the horrors of earthquakes which have created a humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria.
More than 24,000 are believed to have died as a result of an earthquake which struck on Monday with a UN aid chief warning that tens of thousands more casualties are expected.
The Place youth drop-in centre in Alness has been acting as a drop-off point for donations with volunteers overwhelmed by the local response.
Carrie Yavuz, who has been helping coordinate a grassroots response in Easter Ross, posted to social media: "Thank you to the wonderful local community. Alness and beyond never fail to amaze me. Thank you to The Lodge Averon members and the wider Highland lodge community for the phenomenal amount of money raised. The Place team at the centre of our wee community yet again."
She added: "Nothing handed in will go to waste. We’ve also linked with a Dundee based Syrian charity who are going to transport aid across. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
With cash donations, the team has bought 29 extra sleeping bags and mats to help survivor displaced by the quake and its aftershocks.
A Transit van load packed with donated items went to Glasgow earlier this week and has been followed by another with items all destined for Turkey and Syria, either by plane or lorry.
The Turkish Consulate has indicated that Scottish collection centres are overwhelmed with donations and cargo planes are projected to be more than full.
It has expressed extreme gratitude for support and indicated that monetary donations will now be most welcome for anyone who is able.
The Emergency Community Rescue group in Easter Ross, which has been involved in transportation of donated items, posted: "Van is absolutely packed thanks to the amazing people at The Place and also the amazingly generous people of the local community. Times like this make us proud to be part of the Alness and invergordon community. Thanks to Focus vehicle rental for the use of the van."
The Rosemarkie Amenities Association and Beach Cafe has meanwhile flagged up a collection this weekend.
It posted: "We have some very good donations from local businesses and residents for the raffle, and there will be a collection bucket at the café too. We can only take CASH.
"Saturday and Sunday (February 11/12) 11.30am to 2.30pm. The raffle will be drawn at 2.30pm on Sunday, but don’t worry if you are not around, we will put the numbers on our page.
"Please pop along and make a donation if you can
"Thank you."
It says donations raised will be sent to the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal set up by the Disasters Emergency Committee.
It says 24,000 people have died and up to 17 million people are in the affected area, many of them in urgent need of shelter, food and medical aid.
It can be found online here.
Do you have a community story or photograph from Ross-shire to share? Get in touch by emailing newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
