Volunteers in Rotherham urgently seeking donations to help survivors of Turkey and Syria earthquakes

Nicola Drew, from Wath, has helped to organise collection points across Rotherham and parts of Barnsley to collect contributions for the victims.

Nicola also founded a support group for Ukrainian refugees alongside her seven-year-old daughter Ella and said she was keen to help again.

“Seeing the devastation from the earthquakes is truly heartbreaking,” she said. “People have lost so much, including their loved ones.

“They’re all suffering so much. What they need is love, help and support to get through this.

“That’s why I got the idea to help create the Facebook page ‘Support Turkey and Syria Rotherham’.

“If the same was happening here in the UK, I’d like to think people would show us the same level of care and compassion.”

Nicola said there were seven collection points in total across the region.

She added: “When I say collection points, it’s people who have agreed to take in donations at their home address before they are shipped on to Turkey and Syria.

“We have seven people so far taking in donations from Thurnscoe, Kimberworth, Dinnington, East Dene, and Kendray.

“It shows that we have lots of people in the group who are willing to help.

“We’re asking for medical supplies, toiletries, food and home supplies to support those who now have nothing.

“Once our aid gets packed up, we have a great relationship with Global Fireworks on Moor Lane. The manager has been in contact with the London Embassy and we’ve already sent 15 boxes worth of aid via Turkish Airlines from Manchester Airport.

“We’re hoping it is just the start of more.”

Nicola said she was incredibly proud of being part of Rotherham’s efforts to support such causes.

“The Ukraine appeal was extremely busy and we had a huge response,” she added.

“We had a Facebook group — Support Ukraine Rotherham — reaching over 1,800 members.

“We sent small lorry loads to Peterborough where it’d be loaded onto a large lorry and driven to the Polish borders.

“It was extremely tiring, and I was sometimes not finishing packing donations until 4.30am but worth it at the same time.

“We raised over £1,000 in Amazon wishlist donations and £1,000 in cash donations, too, which was all spent on aid.

“Ella, made loom bracelets supporting the Ukraine colours which she sold at school and in the local community to raise funds.

“She raised over £100 for her kind, generous and thoughtful gesture.

“We’re just seeing how far we can go in supporting everyone through this latest awful disaster.”

You can find out more about donating items and gifting aid at tinyurl.com/Support-Turkey-and-Syria.