Venezuelan in UK runs donation drive for homeland

A Venezuelan woman living in Kent has appealed for donations of essentials to help relief efforts after devastating earthquakes in her homeland.

Tingy Simoes is organising supplies to be dropped off in Ashford, where she has lived for 20 years, so they can be forwarded to the South American country.

Authorities have confirmed more than 2,600 deaths, with thousands believed to still be missing, since magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck in quick succession near Caracas in June.

"I just don't see how anyone could fail to be shocked and horrified by what has happened and the degree of the misery that is being witnessed there," Simoes said.

At least 5,000 people were injured by the earthquakes and hundreds of buildings collapsed.

UK aid agencies launched a joint appeal and British authorities have contributed search and rescue specialists to the international response.

Simoes said buildings where her family lived had been damaged but remained standing.

Her 100-year-old great aunt was "fortunately" rescued from her home on a high floor, she said.

"It's a scale of a nightmare that is hard to comprehend," Simoes told the BBC.

"When I see the images of the city I grew up in, the pub I used to go to with my mates and stuff like that, it's very hard to describe the feelings."

She has asked for donations to be dropped off at Ashford Freeshop.

From there, in coordination with others collecting donations around the UK, supplies will be transported to Venezuela, according to Simoes.

The community interest company's founder, Carolina Reinhardt, said: "We are struggling in this country but at least we know that our family are OK.

"They don't know, they have nothing.

"That's why I wanted to be part of it, to make sure that people know that if we stick together we can bring hope and we can bring kindness to the other side of the world."

Donations required include camping equipment, medical products and other basic supplies.

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