TROWBRIDGE charity People Against Poverty has surpassed the £16,000 mark for its Nepal Earthquake Appeal, but the charity is urging the public to keep supporting the aid efforts.

People Against Poverty, which is based at Grangeside Business Centre in Devizes Road, Hilperton, launched the urgent appeal soon after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck at the end of April.

The charity had raised £10,000 in the weeks after the disaster, but following an appeal for more donations in the Wiltshire Times in May, the charity has now raised just over £16,000 for the cause.

It works in two areas located either side of the epicentre of the earthquake, Kathmandu and Pokhara, where it helped set up community hub Starlight Centre with project leader Krishna, who lives in Nepal with his wife Sita.

Charity manager Jenny James said: “We have recently surpassed the £16,000 mark, which is fantastic. When you start there is always an influx of donations as it is always in the news and media.

“There real problem is when it fades from the news, as it can then be difficult to keep getting donations in. It is important to keep it in people’s hearts and minds, because the people of Nepal are still suffering from aftershocks.

“The aftershocks are difficult for them to deal with, plus they have also had to cope with flooding and landslides from the monsoon season. While we are delighted with what we have raised, there is still more we can do.

“The main focus has been on access to drinking water, making sure they have food and contributing to the medical effort. We have also spent a majority of the money on tents so families have shelter.”

The charity, which celebrated its fourth birthday with sister organisation Business Against Poverty last Friday (July 3), is still in regular contact with Krishna, who has been working to support families by providing food and shelter.

Miss James added: “We want to keep the awareness up and make sure the money keeps coming in. While we are grateful for one-off donations of £20, it is better for us to get monthly direct-debit donations of £5 so we can plan for the future.

“It is such a fantastic achievement to have raised this amount of money and this is our single biggest appeal to date. We have been overwhelmed with the support we have had and hope it continues.”

To find out more about People Against Poverty or to donate, visit www.peopleagainstpoverty.com. Alternatively, text GENE09 £(and the donation amount) to 70070 or send cheque or cash to PaP, Grangeside Business Centre, 129 Devizes Rd, Hilperton, Trowbridge, Wilts, BA14 7SZ.