GENEROUS Free Press readers have sent in nearly £400 to help people affected by the Pakistan earthquake.

The Earthquake Appeal was launched after Wycombe magist-rate Arif Hussain travelled to the disaster-struck country with reporter Benedict Moore-Bridger.

Mr Hussain's charity, Five Pillars, has already raised £40,000 for the victims and he hopes to raise another £100,000 to help build an orphanage.

A cricket bat, signed by the Pakistan cricket team which recently ended England's unbeaten test run, is being auctioned to raise more money for the appeal.

Wycombe's Sikh community raised £600 in one day for Muslim earthquake victims in Pakistan an effort which Wycombe's Race Equality Council (WREC) has deemed a fine example of interfaith understanding.

Sarup Singh Seehra, president of the Sikh temple, heard that people in the affected areas needed blankets and appealed to his congregation. The money was handed to WREC offices in Desborough Road, whose worker Sajaad Shah organises relief convoys to Muslim people in need.

Write to the Free Press Earthquake Appeal, Bucks Free Press, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, Loudwater, HP10 9TY