A north Lakes restaurant owner has launched a fund to help people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey
Mehmet Durmuş, who runs Aspava in Cockermouth, said his home town in Turkey, Islahiye and Kayabasi Koyu had been hit really hard by the earthquake on Monday and its aftershocks.
Rescue workers are flooding into the country – and neighbouring Syria, which was also hit – as the death toll continues to rise to more than 22,000. It was the most powerful earthquake in the region for more than a century and it is thought that over 23 million people could ultimately be affected by the natural disaster.
Mehmet said: “Most of the town has been destroyed and people are still trapped under buildings. I want to raise as much as I can to take over to help family and friends that have lost everything, including loved ones to provide anything they need just to help in any way I can.”
He has launched a Gofundme page and has already raised almost £6,000. To donate, visit https://gofund.me/ba33561d
