THE community in Sutton Poyntz is rallying round to help those affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

More than 3,600 are now confirmed dead after the quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck Nepal and several powerful aftershocks were felt in India, Bangladesh and China.

It was the largest earthquake to hit the country in 80 years and it flattened entire sections of the capital city, Kathmandu.

Homes have been lost and historic buildings destroyed.

There are 14 international medical teams on the way to Nepal, the UN said, and up to 15 international search-and-rescue teams have been sent.

Now The Okhle Village Trust, a registered charity set up in 2003 by Richard Backwell, is hosting a drop in soup kitchen event at the Sutton Poyntz Water Museum tomorrow, Thursday April 30.

Richard, who is an experienced society expedition leader and retired teacher, said: “We heard about the devastating earthquake in Nepal and we wanted to do whatever we could to help.

“We heard the village of Okhle was not too badly hit and the schools were all intact.

"Two houses will need rebuilding and we will raise money from the Trust itself for that.

“The soup kitchen event is being supported by the Casterbridge Rotary Club based in Dorchester, and the Portland Rotary Club.

“Donations are welcome and we would encourage as many people as possible to come along, enjoy some food and drink and give what they can.

“Every little helps and we will be raising money for disaster relief charity Shelterbox, a very worthwhile charity and one that will be able to help in Nepal first hand.”

Trust chairman Richard first visited Nepal in 2002 and was overwhelmed with the undemanding nature of the villagers in Okhle that he vowed to return.

Whilst in the village, Richard was shown some of the projects that the villagers were undertaking with their own labour, skills and resources.

Every year since, Richard has been back to Okhle Village with a group from the Trust to support local projects there.

Richard told the Echo: “We hope to raise money through the two rotary clubs who are supporting us, and the money will then be donated to Shelterbox.

“I know Wey Valley School students will also be helping out in Nepal when they visit in December this year.

“My wife Judith Backwell and Ruth Davies of the Trust have also visited Nepal over the years and know how much donations mean to the communities over there.”

The Okhle Village Trust projects to date have focused on water supplies, access roads, education and social development.

For more information about the trust visit okhle.org.uk.

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