My name is Simon. My wife Arzu grew up in Antakya - Hatay, an area of Turkey hit worst by the earthquake on Monday, February 6th. Her parents lost their home and almost everything else but are now safe in Istanbul. Arzu’s sister, husband and two children (15 and 8) have also lost their home, the business she worked in, schools and friends (the only question now is how many). They dug her brother-in-law out from under the remains of his home with their bare hands. I have spent much of this week trying to imagine what that must have been like and what the longer term impact will be and I can’t. It is too horrific.

We can and will help Arzu’s immediate family. We have cancelled our Summer holiday for a start and the money will go to help them instead. But we are hearing more and more from more distant relatives and friends that are in similar situations - thankful for being alive but left with little bar the clothes they stand in. We cannot help them all but we can appeal to you

If you would like to help individual’s that we know rebuild their lives and dignity directly rather than via the DEC, Red Cross etc then please contribute. Every penny will be hugely helpful and massively appreciated. The money will be distributed to those in most need by trusted friends in the area.

Thank you with all our hearts.

Simon and Arzu.