A GROUP of friends rallied to organise a fun day which will help victims of the disastrous flooding in Pakistan.

Amtul Ahmed, Farrukh Rafiq, Samia Qureshi, Nadia Salaam and Fazila Bhatti saw the shocking news footage of homes and villages swept away by unprecedented monsoon rains, and decided something needed to be done about it here in Swindon.

They gathered the community together for a fundraiser at Drove Primary School earlier this month with help from headteacher Dr Nick Capstick, who allowed them to use the school hall and held an assembly to spread the word to pupils.

Businesses like Kaspa's, Caprino’s, Pizza & Co, Dilkush, and Tandoori Nights donated food to the event to sell while volunteers cooked and baked tasty treats along with stalls set up to sell clothes, book, jewellery, sweets, candles, drinks, face painting and Henna tattoos.

The event raised £4,200 for the flood appeal which will be handled by Amtul’s family in Pakistan, who are organising and distributing food and hygiene packages, clothing, and medical aid to worst-affected areas of the country.

Amtul said: “The event was a huge success, a true sense of community was felt and all races and creeds worked together for the better.

“A heartfelt thank you to all involved. This event was a showcase of Swindon’s diversity and community spirit.”