Nepalese students in Huddersfield have launched an aid appeal in the wake of the terrifying earthquake which claimed more than 5,000 lives in their home country.
They hope to raise thousands of pounds with a Facebook campaign, launched by the University of Huddersfield Nepalese Students Society.
And they have also been making frantic calls home to check on family and friends caught up in the disaster.
At the University’s Queensgate campus, research fellow Dr Suman Pradhan, who has been in Huddersfield since 2001, and fellow students from Nepal are hoping for good news.
He said: “I have spoken to some of my family who are okay but I cannot get through to others. Communications are very bad at the moment.
“The students here from Nepal have set up a Facebook page and we hope to get help from the people of Huddersfield”.
On Sunday Golcar woman Jane Wood told of her relief after daughter Laura Wood made contact to say she was safe after concern that she was lost in the area.
Student Bimod Thapa said: “We have never felt as helpless in life. Stranded on a foreign soil, reading about hourly earthquakes in Nepal. We are trying to take small part by sending some humanitarian needs in the affected area. We need your and everyone’s assistance”.
Meanwhile a former Holmfirth woman who has business colleagues in Nepal is also behind the aid appeal.
Laura Queening, whose family live in Holmfirth, spent time in Nepal teaching English and now runs a business called Aura Que which sources many products from Nepal.
She said: “I want to raise money to directly help my producers and families in Kathmandu in the aftermath of this natural disaster, as well as contribute to worthy development projects on the ground in Nepal.
“The next few months are going to be crucial for the Nepalese people.
“I have already given money to the immediate earthquake relief appeal with Oxfam but we must also think of the future by raising money for vulnerable individuals. These are poor people without insurance policies or free NHS healthcare or savings, and there will be a great need in the coming months especially.
“It’s been 12 years now since I first went to Nepal and was blown away by the kindness and friendliness of the Nepalese people. Over the years I have worked with many producers through Nepal Leprosy Trust, New Sadle, Sana Hastakala and other charity and handicraft groups, it has been a big part of my life. I will also be donating whatever profits I can from my business, but any donations and support from others would be greatly appreciated.”
The University campaign is http://www.gofundme.com/sz95dw
Laura’s link is https:// www.indiegogo.com/projects/aura-que-nepal-earthquake-appeal
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