A BLACKBURN-BASED charity has sent more than £20,000 worth of aid to help people suffering from a draught in East Africa.

The Al-Imdaad Foundation is helping thousands of people suffering from famine by sending across food hampers, medical aid and portable water supplies.

So far distributions have taken place across more than 25 villages helping 1,035 families in badly-affected areas.

These include sites in Somalia where more than 6.2million face acute malnutrition and Kenya where a lack of rain fall has put 2.6million lives at risk.

The charity has plans to send another aircraft full of aid over in the coming weeks and to provide help for at least another four months.

International projects co-ordinator at the Audley Range charity, Zubair Valimulla said: “We will do whatever we can in our capacity to assist.

“The situation over there has really shocked the world.

“I’m proud that we’ve been able to do something to help over in East Africa and feel privileged that East Lancashire is making a difference.

“We just want to help people all over the world in whatever way we can regardless of race or religion.”

Money raised is to be used to buy items such as medicine.