EFFORTS by the Sutton Poyntz community to help those devastated by the Nepal earthquake have raised more than £4000.

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

The event raised money for disaster relief charity Shelterbox and was supported by the Casterbridge Rotary Club in Dorchester, the Portland Rotary Club and the Wey Bay WI.

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.”

Richard added that funds raised from the event totalled £4092, which included a £1000 donation from the Dorset Expeditionary Society.

Money will be donated to Shelterbox and also used to help rebuild homes in Nepal; four in Okhle and one in Raipali.

Richard said: “Shelterbox is a very worthwhile charity and one that will be able to help in Nepal first hand.

“We must say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to the soup event and everyone who has donated so far.

“Thanks must also go to my wonderful wife, all the villagers in Sutton Poyntz and the organisations that helped support us. We had approximately 150 people come along, which was fantastic.

“Prices were £7 for soup, cake and tea – most people gave £10 and one person even gave us £100.

“What you learn in life is that there are really great people around. We are just delighted we could help.”

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