Night market collection for Nepal quake victims

Nepalese students meet with mayor Steve Chadwick. SUPPLIED

Nepalese students will be out in force at Rotorua's Night Market tomorrow collecting funds to support the victims of Saturday's devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in their home country.

Money donated at the Thursday Night Market, and at a street appeal around City Focus on Saturday, will be passed on to Red Cross for use by the organisation in their rescue and recovery effort in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal.

The Nepalese students, who are studying at Waiariki Institute of Technology, met with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick today to discuss plans to rally support for the earthquake appeal.

They told Mrs Chadwick that there were currently around 100 Nepalese people in Rotorua, about half of them students and the balance Rotorua residents. They said they were extremely worried for their families and friends on the other side of the world, many of whom they had not heard from since the earthquake hit.

Mrs Chadwick is urging local residents to do what they can to help the people of Nepal at such a difficult time.

"I know local people will be feeling for the Nepalese people right now and will give generously where they can. Cash donations are the way we can best help out, and we know that Red Cross will ensure funds raised will go to support those in most need.

"Every dollar will help. Nepal is going to need a huge amount of financial assistance from across the globe to get through.

"My heart goes out the people of Nepal, and particularly to our Nepalese brothers and sisters currently living in Rotorua. Understandably, they are extremely anxious right now and grieving for their suffering families, friends and homeland.

"This is a tragedy is of almost unimaginable proportions. The sobering images we're seeing on our televisions and in our newspapers are bringing home the sad reality of the extent of devastation the earthquake has caused and the huge injury and death toll that's followed.

"Please do your bit to help these people at this terrible time. One way to start is by donating whatever you can afford when you see our local Nepalese students collecting for the Red Cross appeal at the night market, or at Saturday's street appeal around City Focus."