21 December 2024, 13:10
Media66
By Furniture & Joinery Production Jun 05, 2015

DIY store owner seeks help to raise funds for Nepalese victims

Nepal was devastated by an earthquake on 25th April 2015. Bobby Singh is a proprietor of a DIY business in Tooting, South London and a father of two children. He has no links to Nepal, however, he was very touched by the media stories of people killed, families destroyed and made homeless. Being a family man, this touched his heart.

Bobby tried to join charities going to Nepal but he was hindered with red tape for vetting. This did not stop him and he went to Nepal alone, despite his family’s objections, due to their fear for his safety.  He decided to help people in the villages in remote areas who have not had any aid or relief from other charities initially by sending by cargo £7500 worth of protective equipment to the rescue workers (dust masks, torches, knee pads, gloves etc). This was stock from his business and personal supplies from manufacturers and much of this went to the Armed Police Force in Nepal and the Nepalese army.  Cargo was sent by air freight courtesy of Jet Airways.

Bobby spent a week in Nepal and befriended some local residents who had been made homeless. Bobby created a team of four helpers who had been affected and on their travels other people assisted. They travelled miles through dangerous areas and mountains to hand deliver tarpaulins, rice, blankets and flooring mats to those who had nothing and were living under trees.

Bobby was in Nepal when the second earthquake struck causing further devastation and he witnessed the panic first-hand as he cut himself running down a flight of stairs as the force of the earthquake flung him to the side of the wall.

Bobby is resolved to provide 500 semi-permanent living structures made from brick and corrugated sheeting for the roof which cost about £100 each to erect. This is because the tarpaulin is not sufficient to protect the people in the bad weather especially with monsoon season approaching. These structures provide a half-way home to the country being rebuilt and provide the people of Nepal some normality again.

Bobby Singh has set up a 'Go Fund Me' page www.WeAreOneNepal.org to raise at least £50,000.

Bobby can be contacted on 07904 891 411.

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