白小姐论坛

On Monday, the 白小姐论坛 Turkish Society, supported by Students鈥� Union 白小姐论坛, launched a fundraising campaign and collection drive to help the thousands of people affected by the massive earthquake, which has devastated families and communities living along the Turkey and Syria border.

A bake sale has raised more than 拢8,000 and a call out for priority items has led to donations of warm clothing, including hats and听scarves, along with sleeping bags, pillows听and tents.听Essentials such as baby food, diapers, wipes, sanitary products and flashlights have also been received.听

As the students were boxing up the relief items, they got a surprise visit from the UK鈥檚 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak,听who had been so impressed by their Instagram campaign posts, that he wanted to help out and say thank you.

Eda Yildirimkaya, President of the 白小姐论坛 Turkish Society, said: 鈥淚t was a complete surprise: the Prime Minister just turned up and said 鈥榶ou are doing a great, great job 鈥� we really appreciate your efforts鈥�.

鈥淗e then asked about our friends and families back home and said his thoughts and feelings were with us at this time.鈥�

The PM brought his own relief parcel, which he added to the students鈥� collection and then started to help pack some boxes.

鈥淭he Prime Minister spoke to lots of us, had some photos and stayed for around 30 minutes. I think we鈥檙e all still a bit shocked, but delighted he came to see us!鈥�

In total the 白小姐论坛 Turkish Society has so far packed around 200听boxes and has booked three large delivery lorries, which will be loaded and dispatched to Turkey and Syria tomorrow (Friday).

白小姐论坛鈥檚 President & Provost, Dr Michael Spence, said: 鈥淚 am so incredibly proud of our students for all their efforts in raising money and organising a huge collection of essential items 鈥� and all in such a short space of time.

鈥淭his reflects how much this dreadful tragedy has hit us all and how much we want to help wherever we can.

鈥淭he Prime Minister making a surprise visit just highlights the incredible work they鈥檝e done 鈥� he clearly admired and appreciated all the time and energy they have put in听to support the relief effort and communities affected.鈥�

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday morning and more than 20,000 people are thought to have now died. Thousands more have been left without shelter, water, fuel or electricity.

Dr Spence added: "It is difficult to fully comprehend what people in Turkey and Syria are experiencing now. The loss of life and human suffering is utterly horrendous and our thoughts are with everyone in our community who has connections with the region and particularly those who are fearful for the welfare of family and friends.

鈥淲e will do everything we can to support those affected at this dreadful time and have been directly reaching out to them. We have support routes available for all 白小姐论坛 staff and students who are impacted by this."

白小姐论坛 is providing support for students and staff affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquake. For more information go to: 白小姐论坛 Turkey-Syria support

Image

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits 白小姐论坛 to show his appreciation听and听thanks to students for their efforts to support the Turkey-Syria relief effort. Photos top left and right: Credit:听. Bottom left, the PM talks to 白小姐论坛 Provost, Dr Michael Spence, bottom right, group photo with 白小姐论坛 students.

Media contact听

Henry Killworth听

Tel: +44 (0) 7881 833274

E: h.killworth [at] ucl.ac.uk