A BOTLEY woman, moved by the plight of orphaned Pakistani children, has organised a charity evening in a bid to raise £110,000.

Mum-of-four Shabana Nadeem has taken on the task of organising the event to help children and communities still recovering from the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan.

Numerous schools were destroyed in the natural disaster and Mrs Nadeem's event on Saturday, May 6 will raise money for a replacement school.

The 47-year-old remembers the moment she decided to reach out and help.

She said: "I was watching television with my daughter and an appeal, where you dial in, was on.

"I couldn't believe no one was phoning to offer help or money for these children, so I decided to do it.

"And then I spoke with a charity called READ Foundation, which has been replacing schools across the district that were destroyed by the earthquake."

The non-profit organisation works to create school places for children living in poverty who otherwise cannot afford to go to school.

Currently pupils in Kashmir have to attend school in another part of the country, walking up to three hours a day just to get to class.

The school they go to is in the open air and in the winter months the children are left shivering.

Mrs Nadeem, who used to work at Elms Road and Grandpont children's centres, added: "Maybe it is because I am a mum or because I've had a career working with children but their story just really touched me and I felt I had to do something.

"And this is a wonderful project for me to get my teeth into.

"My family have been a fantastic support, my children and husband have been behind me all the way and I cannot thank them enough."

Mrs Nadeem's charity evening will be held at the Royal Nawab in London.

Guests will be treated to a three course meal and entertained by the night's host Rahim Jung.

She added: "Rahim is a renowned presenter in the Muslim community and I was so thrilled that he was prepared to host the evening.

"It should be a really fantastic night.

"We also have an auction where people will be able to bid for some fantastic prizes and treats.

"This is all about hitting that £110,000 target for the new school in Pakistan."

Tickets for the night, which starts at 6pm, cost £20 per person.

To book a ticket contact Mrs Nadeem on: 0797 1361 619.

For more information into READ Foundation's work visit: readfoundation.org.uk