Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As you know, Nepal has recently been tremendously affected by the earthquake(s) which started on the 25th of April. The first one at a powerful 7.8 magnitude tremor and since then, they've had a second aftershock of 6.7 magnitude on the second day.

It has brought on devastation to the lives of many people, with 2,500+ dead and 5,000+ injured, with these numbers expected to rise over the week.  

I have started this page because hundreds are believed to still be under the rubble, in desperate need of rescuing. Not only in Kathmandu but more importantly in the remote and inaccessible towns near the epicenter like Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhulpalanchowk, Lamjung and other towns that need immediate rescue operations. 

With this donation page, I'm looking for people to financially support S.A.R.A.I.D, who are one of the first British search and rescue team, waiting at Heathrow, to board a flight to Kathmandu. 16 members of Search And Rescue Assistants In Disasters are taking with them more than 1.5 metric tonnes of specialised search equipment to look into voided areas and buildings that have collapsed. They are on their way to help Nepal recover from the devastating aftermath of the earthquakes and aftershocks. The quakes and tremors are predicted to continue for quite some time.

They are a rescue team/organisation that are entirely voluntary, and raise their own funds and are all volunteers. They are initially going to be working in Kathmandu and then spreading out, under the guidance and geographical expertise of the United Nations. My hope is that the fund will aid their rescue mission beyond Kathmandu, near the epicenter, where the destruction is said to be much worse. The people there are coping with the help of local survivors but they need immediate help.

There are various wonderful charities such as Oxfam, Save the Children, Mercy Corps etc doing great work in providing relief aid but I have chosen to support and raise funds for SARAID because search and rescue work is very critical at this stage (day 3), particularly near the severe areas. I believe in their expertise to help the very distressed people of Nepal as S.A.R.A.I.D members have over the years provided search and rescue assistance during many overseas disasters including Turkey, India, Mexico, Palestine, Pakistan, Algeria and recently the Haiti Earthquake. Their team includes a variety of rescue professionals such as fire-fighters, paramedics, doctors and structural engineers.

For more information on what they do and their agenda, please visit their website by clicking on the link provided http://www.saraid.org.uk/index.php/about

I urge you to donate any amount you can. Your donation will be greatly appreciated by S.A.R.A.I.D and of course, the people of Nepal.

Thank you!