Blackburn Chinese community rallies to help 'quake victims

8:22am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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BLACKBURN'S Chinese Learning Association has pledged to help those affected by the earthquake which killed thousands.

Tens of thousands of people are dead following the earthquake on Monday in China's Sichuan province. The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing and Shanghai, where office buildings swayed with the tremor in the deadliest earthquake to hit China in 30 years.

The death-toll is expected to increase as more reports come in, as officials and rescue teams have yet to reach some hardest hit areas closest to the epicenter due to roadways that were completely damaged or blocked off by landslides.

The Blackburn Chinese Learning Association say they have been deeply affected by news of the tragedy and have already met to talk about what help they can provide. Their committee has also met with the Chinese Consualte in Manchester, who has agreed to transfer any funds on their behalf to the Red Cross in China.

The learning association runs Mandarin classes at St Wilfred's School on Duckworth Street every Sunday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

Chairman of the association, Ming Fu, who owns Chinese restaurant Mr Fu's on Preston New Road, Blackburn, has decided to host a fundraiser for the tragedy on the day the restaurant celebrates its 50th anniversary with invited guests.

The evening will feature auctions and raffles in aid of helping those living in Sichuan province and Mr Fu has appealed for donations. He said: "We decided to raise as much money as we can to help Sichuan province and hope to raise £1000. It is an incredible tragedy. So many people have been confirmed dead, but there are also many people living in the mountains who have not yet been reached. As a result we do not know the full extent of what has happened yet.

"We are having a meeting with the Chinese Consulate to understand more about how we can help. At my restaurant, we had invited some guests to our 50th anniversary celebration and it seemed a good opportunity to host a fundraiser."

Anyone who would like to donate funds or prizes for the fundraising evening at Mr Fu's should contact the restaurant on 01254 665 333.