Non Stop Aid Effort from Local Councillors (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Non Stop Aid Effort from Local Councillors

November 18, 2005 6:04 PM

Since their return from the earthquake ravaged region of Pakistani Kashmir, Leeds City Councillors Javaid Akhtar and Kabeer Hussain have been busy. Having witnessed the tragic images relayed across our television screens first hand, both Councillors have taken part in numerous fund-raising activities across Yorkshire and beyond. Now the Councillors are hoping to raise awareness of the earthquake victim's plight through a series of candid speaking engagements.

Councillor Javaid Akhtar (Gipton & Harehills) said, "While the television pictures of the aftermath of the earthquake are often graphic and upsetting, they just don't prepare you for the horrors actually faced by the people there. Both Kabeer and I have tried to get this message across in as many ways as possible. We just want people to listen to the pleas of thousands of helpless people who will not see out the winter without further aid."

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Hyde Park & Woodhouse) commented, "The sight of young children in overcrowded hospitals, who have sustained quite appalling injuries, is something that will always stay with me. To make matters worse, it was simply impossible to treat many of these injuries quickly enough to prevent gangrene setting in, leading in countless cases to amputations. This is why we have to try and address this tragic situation as soon as possible."

Notes to the Editor:

Forthcoming Events:

· Cllr Akhtar will be a keynote speaker to an exclusively female audience (Members of the Milun Asian Women's Centre) at the Pakistani Centre. Conway Road. Harehills between 3pm - 5pm on Sunday 20th November 2005

· Another fundraiser takes place at Rice Restaurant, 631 Roundhay Road on 4th December 2005 at 4:30pm. The fundraiser will be attended by the local business community and Leeds City Councillors including Cllr Ahktar and Cllr Hussain.

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.