Harrow News

Harrow gets behind mayor of Harrow Asad Omar's Pakistan flood appeal

By Jack Royston

9:06am Wednesday 8th September 2010

THE Harrow community is backing a campaign to raise £50,000 for families hit by the floods that wrecked a fifth of Pakistan.

Councillor Asad Omar, Harrow's mayor, has raised £16,000, almost a third of the way to the grand total needed to build ten houses for those worst affected by a disaster that killed 1,600.

The organisation behind the highly controversial North Harrow Community Hall development has donated £5,000 and the Sri Lankan Muslim Cultural Centre and Harrow Bengalee Association are also behind the appeal.

The first event organised as part of the fundraising drive, which must hit its target by mid-October if work is to finish before winter stops construction, is a bring and buy sale.

A bouncy castle, face painting and a raffle will be just some of the attractions at 26 The Glen, Pinner, on Sunday, September 19.

Organisers say some of the bigger charities, like Oxfam, are in the best position to provide emergency relief but the mayor's appeal is designed to provide medium or long term help.

By beginning the effort to rebuild Pakistan, the ten families lucky enough to benefit from the project will be able to begin recovering what is left of their lives.

Volunteers pay their own expenses, including the cost of flying out to the country, meaning all money given to the appeal will go on helping those in need.

Anyone wishing to donate can make out a check to the Mayor of Harrow's Pakistan Flood Appeal and send it to the Mayor's Parlour, Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow.

Alternatively visit www.harrowfloodappeal.org.uk for other ways to give money.

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