MUSLIMS in Oxford have continued to raise massive amounts of money for the victims of the Floods in Pakistan.

At Friday prayers for the last few weeks, appeals have been made at mosques around Oxford.

Collection buckets positioned around the Madinah Mosque in Stanley Road, the Bangladesh Mosque in Cowley Road and the Central Oxford Mosque in Manzil Way have raised thousands.

Saj Malik, county councillor for East Oxford and city councillor for Cowley Marsh, has been co-ordinating the efforts.

He said: “We have raised £13,500 so far and £11,000 has already been sent directly to where it is needed in Pakistan.”

The money has been sent to Shaquat Quershi, an Oxford-based businessman who is in Pakistan to help the aid effort.

Mr Malik hopes to be able to join Mr Quershi to take out money and supplies later this year.

He said: “The money raised has provided food for 400 families, but we hope to be able to feed 600 families by the end of this fundraising.

“Conditions on the ground in Pakistan are worsening so we still need to do more.”

The disaster has already claimed the lives of 1,600 people and directly affected more than 17 million people.

There are worries that disease will now become rife as aid workers struggle to get supplies to victims.

Mr Malik said the disaster would have repurcussions for years to come.

He said: “In Pakistan right now, there is life now and then there is life after.

“Right now, people need food so that is where the money is going – but afterwards, they will need ways to rebuild their lives.

“A family could be giving a sewing machine to create a new livelihood.”

Mr Malik also assured people he and Mr Quershi were not taking any administration costs from the funds.

He said: “Every single penny goes directly to the people who need it, straight to the victims.”

To donate money, email Mr Malik at sajjad.malik@ oxfordshire.gov.uk Meanwhile, the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Pakistan Floods Appeal has reached £37m, raised through donations from the British public.

DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley said he was extremely grateful to the UK public for their generosity.

He said: “The money that is coming in is still urgently needed by our members who have already helped 800,000 people but are struggling to help many more.”

To donate to the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 606 0900, visit dec.org.uk, over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.

Didcot Rotarians have donated around £2,500 to the Pakistan Flooding Appeal.

This will buy two Shelter Boxes, which each contain an eight-person tent, sleeping bags, water purification equipment and other essential survival items.

President Brian Key said: “When a disaster like this strikes it is essential that this aid reaches these people quickly and this is what we are doing.”