Cheque presented to the Kashmir Earthquake Appeal

J F kay and Mayor with the Kashmir Earthquake Appeal

On behalf of Molesworths Bright Clegg, a cheque was presented to the Kashmir Earthquake Appeal, which has been organised by the management committee of the Kashmir Youth Project based at Belfield Road, Rochdale.

John F Kay, Senior Partner of Molesworths Bright Clegg said he was deeply touched by the images of orphaned and traumatised children who had survived the earthquake in South Asia and he shared the grief and distress of the Asian Community in Rochdale which was not only an integral part of the Rochdale Community but also an integral part of this law practice.

Peter Rhodes, Managing Partner of Molesworths Bright Clegg said that the Firm had a longstanding relationship with KYP ever since its inception and was extremely impressed in the manner in which the organisation had reacted to this natural disaster and within 48 hours had put forward to all its prominent business partners a 3 stage strategy to help in the reconstruction of the lives of the survivors who had lost everything. We were taken aback by details of their strategy and as a firm we were honoured to be one of the first to make a donation and hopefully we will be able to commit further resources not just financial in assisting KYP in rebuilding the lives of the many young children who had been traumatised by this earthquake.

Not only that, Molesworths Bright Clegg have always associated themselves to be an integral part of the Asian Community and therefore as disaster of this scale, it was extremely difficult for them not either to commit financially or other resources as we hope to do over a sustained and longer period of time.

The organising committee of KYP were present to accept the cheque and in particular were grateful for Molesworths Bright Clegg in assisting them in raising the profile and ensuring that the plight of the earthquake victims stayed in the media spotlight and gave them an opportunity to ask for donations not only just money but also material and logistics from the wider Rochdale Community who have to date been at loss as to where their donations should be made.

Shabir Khan, Manager at KYP and Ethnic Minority Business Support implored that the whole Rochdale Business Community not only make financial donations but any form of donation in the form of logistic support, administration and any other donation in the form of blankets, medicines, tools and clothing could be dropped off at the KYP Community Centre. In fact, Zulf Ali and Mohammed Mushtaq both Company Directors of Cellteck and Millennium Translations Limited respectively, vowed that for every donation pound for pound, blanket for blanket will be received by the needy and the true victims of this earthquake. In fact, a poignant point was made that as many of the victims who had survived were children and in this holy month of Ramadan for the Asian Muslim Community and with Christmas fast approaching, it would be a kind gesture if an extra toy or gift could be purchased for the young children who have been traumatised, to bring a little bit of happiness in what has surely been the worst natural disaster in South Asia for over 100 years. After all, what people often forget is that true victims are the children and despite losing everything they are still children and still enjoy gifts and toys which any other normal child would do.

Therefore, it is imperative that the business community and the wider community from all backgrounds of Rochdale keep in their minds the plight of these young victims and wherever possible make further donations on an ongoing basis either to National Charities or more locally via the offices of KYP in order that they can sustain their commitment to these victims.

Finally, Ashley Dearnley, Mayor of Rochdale again repeated his heartfelt condolences to the Asian Community for those who had lost family in this disaster and again advised that his office was open to any ideas and donations or activities, that his office could encourage the Council to participate  to ensure that the plight of these victims stays in the mind of the community of Rochdale and the Council would be looking at ways to participate in the long term strategy advocated  by KYP to ensure that everything possible by the local community in particular the business community can be encouraged to rebuild the shattered lives of the victims.

For further information and greater detail of the 3 stage strategy adopted by KYP please do not hesitate to contact Ismail Fulat or Shabir Khan on 01706 630140 or drop off a donation at KYP, Belfield Road, Rochdale.