I'm setting up this Fundraiser for Vanessa Restrepo who has lost her home yesterday in the Colombian earthquake. This was the worst earthquake in decades and has left harrowing images of destruction all over social media. Fortunately, her family was untouched but I can't begin to imagine the daunting task of rebuilding a life.

Vanessa and her mother set up Alas de Colombia, the country's first butterfly farm to export pupae to butterfly displays around the world. She did this as a cooperative where upwards of 12 families, mostly women, earn a living breeding some of Colombia's best butterflies.

I am Neil Gale, manager of the Magic of Life Butterfly House in Wales, UK. I've have known Vanessa since 2004 when we used to buy pupae from her before the costs of import stopped us. I have visited the farm twice, the last time three years ago. These funds are to help show support for her and her family during what must be confusing and highly stressful times. The funds can be used to help repair the Alas de Colombia office, that was also damaged. And if she meets anyone in dire need, she can use these funds to help them, as she deems fit. And for all of us in the butterfly world, it will help us keep going a sustainable butterfly farm with a unique set of species.

Gofundme does not allow direct payments to Colombia. To get round this, all funds raised will be transferred to a dedicated, separate bank account, in my Santander Bank. This account is specifically for this fundraiser and its starting balance was £0.00. All of these funds will then be transferred to Vanessa's bank via WISE. At the end of the fund-raiser, Vanessa will check that her received funds are the same as the total funds raised.

Neil Gale