Scores of people turned out for a pre-Christmas fundraising event at Parc Kalkan yesterday.

Organisers were collecting money, and various items of clothing, to send to the victims of the recent earthquakes near Van, in the east of Turkey.

Tragically, hundreds of people died in this disaster, and thousands of survivors were left in desperate conditions.

Emergency aid has been flowing, but more is needed.  The residents of Kalkan sent help shortly after the main quake, and yesterday, they came up trumps again.

Organisers Ros and Tony Lockhart were delighted with the turnout, and the donations received.  Several bags of clothes were collected, and these will be boxed up, and sent to Van.  The Kalkan PTT (post office), has kindly agreed to deliver these items free of charge.

In addition, a sum of 1,514 TL was raised through the sale of cakes, greetings cards, and an auction.  Not a bad day's work!  This money is to be paid over to the Red Crescent, who will ensure it is spent wisely.

Ros & Tony would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their support - those who donated items, donated cash, or donated their time and talent baking cakes.  Special thanks to Barbara Monks for selling so many greetings cards - very handy with Christmas round the corner.

And last, but by no means least, everyone was happy to see Santa there - taking time out of his busy schedule.  The children were captivated.

Below: Santa sits next to just some of the items destined to go to Van.

Below: Thankfully, the rain held off for the fundraising event.

 Below: The freshly baked cakes and buns were very popular.  Only crumbs left.

 Below: A good turnout at Parc Kalkan.

Kalkan Turkish Local News - your window on Kalkan Turkey