A CHARITY headquarters in Prestwich is at the forefront of fundraising to help survivors of the tsunami tragedy.

The UNICEF north west regional office, which is based in Arthur Street, is urging people to raise or donate vital funds to help the millions of people in south east Asia whose lives have been devastated by the natural disaster.

It is estimated up to 100,000 people have lost their lives since the earthquake occurred, triggering a tidal wave to wreak havoc in several countries including India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Maldives.

The charity has warned that, if immediate action is not taken to provide clean water, millions of people will be at grave risk of water-borne disease.

The floods have contaminated the water systems, leaving people with little choice but to use unclean surface water. Under these conditions, people struggle to protect themselves from cholera, diarrhoea and other deadly diseases.

The Prestwich office of UNICEF is working to raise money to help vulnerable survivors who have been left without food, clean water, and homes. It hopes to provide aid so that people left desolate have access to clean water, sanitation, medical supplies and shelter.

Caroline Graham, on behalf of the Prestwich office said: We are appealing to people to offer vital funds so that aid can be delivered to where it is most needed.

UNICEF has a warehouse in Dubai where we can deliver aid, to be taken to the areas that need help. People can make contributions to UNICEF then we can get the aid to where it is needed most.

Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to UNICEF Asia Emergency Appeal, PO Box 254, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 3WT.

l Bury Council has also set up a cash collection point at its Longfield area office, during normal office hours, for members of the public who may wish to make a donation to help tsunami survivors.

The money will be sent on to the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella group of UK charities.