Derry councillor secures agreement for local fundraising effort

SDLP Foyleside Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr has secured the agreement of a Council Committee to work with charities and organisations assisting with relief efforts in Turkey and Syria, to promote a local fundraising effort.

It follows the Councillor proposing a motion at Health and Communities Committee, which passed unanimously.

Cllr. Seenoi-Barr said: “The devastating earthquakes that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria are nothing short of horrifying and, like all of us, I can’t get the images of the areas affected out of my mind.

"Indeed, it may even be some time before we learn the full extent of the death and destruction caused by these awful events.

“The outpouring of characteristic solidarity from Derry people to this tragedy has been overwhelming and it has prompted me to think about how Council could contribute to providing practical support for those affected.

"After attending a meeting organised by the Muslim Council of Britain in collaboration with aid organisations working within Turkey and Syria, it’s clear that charities are requesting the public and those who wish to help to consider mobilising communities to fundraise as a priority."

She concluded: “The scale of this crisis is truly beyond our imagination and we should do whatever we can to assist.

"I believe that our Council can play a key role in working with existing charities to promote a local fundraising effort, similar to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal launched by the Disaster Emergency Committee.

“We must act quickly and provide an easy means by which residents can donate with confidence that their money will quickly find its way to the areas that need it and I was pleased that our Council Committee agreed this unanimously today.”