£378 for earthquake appeal

It’s nigh on impossible to comprehend the scale of devastation from the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria last week. With millions of people displaced, many of whom sleeping in the open, often in sub-zero temperatures, it can be difficult to know how we can support the many in need of our help.

I felt the urge to help in a small way by making this week’s Yoga for Men class a fundraiser for the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. Over the past week, the DEC appeal has raised an incredible £60 million, and I was looking forward to adding to the pot by donating all payments received from last night’s class. I covered all costs myself, so that the maximum could be donated.

With 16 guys joining last night’s class, I was able to donate an impressive £128 to the DEC appeal. The generosity of my male yogis rendered me almost speechless, with a further £250 received taking the final sum to an incredible £378 donated. I honestly can’t believe how much we raised.

Putting this into context, the money we’ve raised will enable DEC to provide urgent support. It will help DEC scale up their response and reach more people. Our donations will have a positive impact.

>> £10 could provide blankets to keep two people warm

>> £25 could provide emergency food for a family for ten days

>> £50 could provide emergency shelter for two families

Of course, with the situation as dire as it is and unlikely to change any time soon, the DEC appeal doesn’t just stop with our donations, or the £60 million raised so far. Any donations will enable DEC and its local partners to deliver its immediate priorities – search and rescue, medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, heating in safe spaces, blankets, warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water. I’ve included a link to the DEC appeal below.