HILLINGDON is rallying to help people in Nepal affected by the earthquake.

The council has donated 10 shelter boxes at a cost of £5,900 and made a contribution of £6,100 to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal to support the relief effort for victims of the devastating quake that struck on April 25.

Shelter boxes contain essential items that a family would need to start rebuilding their lives. They include a tent, water storage and purification equipment, thermal blankets and cooking utensils.

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, council leader, said: "The scale of the damage caused by the earthquake has been difficult to imagine and Hillingdon Council has committed to help some of the people whose lives have been turned upside down by this disaster.

“I would urge residents to follow the council's lead, if they are able to do so, by donating any amount they can afford to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal or Shelter Box."

The death toll of the earthquake so far is more than 7,000, with 14,000 people injured.

Hillingdon's Gurkha Nepalese community has welcomed the borough’s actions.

To donate via Shelter Box, visit www.shelterbox.org, and to give money to the DEC appeal visit www.dec.org.uk/appeals/nepal-earthquake-appeal