DELEGATES from Huddersfield’s Radio Ramadan are to travel to Pakistan to distribute just under £40,000 of donations.

Director M H Shadye and presenter Naseem Jogee are teaming up with the ARY network to see where funds are needed and report back to the UK next month.

Their efforts formed just part of a huge fundraising drive across Huddersfield to help the flood victims.

The Pakistan floods began in July following heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions.

More than 2,000 people have died and over a million homes have been destroyed since the flooding began.

The United Nations estimates that more than 21 million people are injured or homeless as a result of the flooding.

M H Shadye said: “It’s such a big disaster everybody has come together to collect in their own way.

“Through Radio Ramadan the old, middle aged and young have helped and it’s been a huge response, raising £39,102.55.

“We are paying for all of our own travel and expenses so absolutely 100% of the donations will go to the needy.

Naseem added: “We have had outstanding support from everyone, particularly the children who have come forward with their pocket money and their toys.

We’ve also received great backing from the business community and people like Haji Laiquat and Subat Laiquat.”

Among the youngsters who contributed is daughter of former councillor Shahida Awan, 10-year-old Minah, who fasted for the first time this Ramadan. She raised £53.22 and said: “I hope it will help the flood victims because they have lost their food, their homes and they have no clean water. Some of the children have been swept away from their parents.”

A TAKEAWAY manager raised hundreds of pounds to help floods victims.

Tayyib Shafique, who runs Al-Faisal on Chapel Hill, held a fundraising week at the Asian takeaway.

Every day between the hours of 11am to 5.30pm all of the profits made from food sales went straight into the kitty for the charity.

Tayyib, who has close relatives living in the country, wanted to do his bit to help.

He said: “My relatives are not living in one of the affected areas but they have seen what’s been happening around them.

“I wanted to do my bit to help this very good cause and the victims.

“Customers have been very supportive when they’ve heard what it’s for and some have even given me a bit extra.”

HUDDERSFIELD residents provided semi-permanent shelter, cooking utensils, bedding, blankets and water for 50 flood victims in Pakistan.

These were the donations received in Huddersfield Rotary club’s special “green box”, which was designed especially to respond to disasters.

Hundreds of the shelter boxes have been sent to the flood-hit country Pakistan, where trained volunteers help erect the main feature of the box – a family tent for 10 – and unpack and demonstrate other life-saving equipment.

Local Rotarians were out at the Bradford Road Asda to seek support from residents to fund more such boxes.

Rotary member John Philip, who instigated the collection, said: “The response from Asda customers has been overwhelming.

“People from all ethnic backgrounds stopped by to express their deep concern at the plight of the flood victims.

“Old and young donated generously and we raised £1,048. With other funds from Rotary,

“We have enough funds for up to five Shelter Boxes which will offer a lifeline for about 50 people.”