Put a roof over their heads (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Put a roof over their heads

Azim Khan who lost 20 members of his family in the Pakistan earthquake Ref: 100009-99TODAY the Swindon Advertiser is launching an appeal to collect 200 tents for the people left homeless by the Pakistan earthquake.

AZIM Khan is appealing to the people of Swindon to help him keep a promise and save people's lives.

Mr Khan, who lost 20 members of his family in the earthquake in Pakistan, has returned from a visit to his home country to see the devastation for himself.

He realised that what people there need more than anything is protection from the elements as winter sets in.

So today the Swindon Advertiser which joined him on his trip to his hometown of Battal is joining forces with Mr Khan to launch an appeal to collect 200 tents for people who lost their homes in the earthquake on October 8.

"If we can get the tents it will be life saving," said Mr Khan, 65.

"We promised them. We just want to fulfil our promises."

More than 55,000 people died in Pakistan in the earthquake and more than three million people are thought to be without shelter as temperatures start to fall.

When Mr Khan returned to Battal with Advertiser reporter Kevin Shoesmith he helped distribute aid to people in the region.

But after handing out nearly 200 tents there were still more than 100 people on the list for that one night.

"People started coming to me saying 'we are getting the food but we are desperate for the tents'," said Mr Khan, who owns Khan's Convenience Store on Rodbourne Road.

"They were saying 'we are under plastic sheets or ordinary tarpaulin and it is not enough'.

"The rain was coming that night we thought and it was a good job it didn't but I believe it is raining there now.

"We said we will try our best. We came home with an obligation. Hopefully people can help us meet it.

"I believe the food and everything else is sufficient. There is enough food but they are short of some sort of shelter.

"Although tents are not permanent it will help. They need something quickly before the bad weather sets in."

Family-size tents are most needed in the region but smaller tents would also be gratefully received.

Mr Khan, who moved from Battal to Swindon in 1967, said any tents donated would be flown out to Pakistan as soon as possible.

Alternatively people can donate money that will be used to buy tents.

Anyone who can donate a tent or money should take it to Khan's Convenience Store on Rodbourne Road or ring Mr Khan on 01793 522902.

Isabel Field