Gazette News

Ilkley folk give generously to Pakistan flood fund

By Amanda Greaves

12:10pm Friday 3rd September 2010

Cash donated by generous Ilkley people is on its way to help with flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

A collection by Rotary Club members at Saturday’s Last Night of the Proms concert gathered more than £800.

Younger members of the community, meanwhile, raised more than £100 with a Saturday morning sale and tombola at Ilkley Bandstand, boosting the total so far raised for the appeal by Ilkley Oxfam.

Michael Booth, president of the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale, thanked all those who contributed.

He said: “In the 20 or so minutes available we collected a staggering £848, thanks to the amazing generosity of the audience.”

The club was collecting for a personal water purification device called the LifeStraw. Each costs less than a cup of coffee, Mr Booth said, and requires no electrical power or spare parts.

It can filter up to 700 litres of water and effectively removes most of the micro organisms responsible for waterborne disease.

The fundraising efforts of an nine-year-old Ilkley boy, his teenage sister and her friend will also help people in the flood-hit regions of Pakistan.

George Richardson set up his own bric-a-brac, toy and book stall at the bandstand on The Grove on Saturday morning, while his sister, Amy, 13, and her friend, Aliesha Lord, ran a tombola.

George and Amy’s mum, Helen, said: “Thanks to all who contributed, as £109 was raised for the Pakistani flood relief fund, which took the total taken for the appeal, so far, by Ilkley Oxfam to more than £4,000.”

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