THE final consignment of blankets and bedding donated in an appeal to help the survivors of the South Asia earthquake left West Somerset last weekend. To Kashmir with Love attracted such an overwhelming response from people across the district that the organisation collecting the goods, Birmingham-based Islamic Relief, had to make two trips. The majority of the thousands of items donated were loaded into one van last Friday but volunteers had to return the following day to pick up the remaining bulky consignment being stored at John Ware Pharmacist in Alcombe. Owner and pharmacist Max Puni's family is from very near the earthquake zone. The appeal was launched by Rosemary Mann, wife of Wootton Courtenay vicar the Rev Robin Mann and Carol Addicott, who is married to local auctioneer John Addicott. The pair came up with the idea after meeting at a fundraising dinner held at the Alcombe Tandoori restaurant, which raised a staggering £3,200 for the Disasters Emergency Committee's Asia earthquake appeal. Mr Puni is pictured, left, with pharmacy staff Jess Munson and Darren Mackenzie with some of the blankets ready for collection. Photo: Steve Guscott.
