LIVE music, an art auction and cakes baked in Lancashire were all on show in East Oxford to raise funds for victims of the Pakistan floods.
The all-day event at the Regal venue, featuring local bands, local artists and family activities, was organised by vet Lucy Howard.
She roped in all her friends for the day-long fundraiser in Cowley Road on Saturday and even got her mum Julie to set up a cake stall.
Miss Howard, 29, from Bicester, said: “When I saw the tragedy on the news, I thought about making a donation but then I wondered if I could do more than that.
“I spoke to everyone I knew to see what they could do and things snowballed from there.
“Acts on the main stage included the Ben Mowat String Quintet and Bicester blues band, the C7s.
“I hope the event raises as much money as possible but £1,000 would be brilliant because that would make a difference to the flood victims, whose water supplies are still being affected.”
All proceeds from Oxaid Pakistan are being split between the Disasters Emergency Committee (Pakistan) and the Karachi Relief Trust, whose Pak Pani project aims to provide safe drinking water for those hit by the floods.
Jane Kilbey, a nurse from West Oxford who visited the Regal, said: “I think this is a great example of someone doing something practical to make a difference.
“Miss Howard has really used her initiative and is doing something for people in another part of the world and bringing people in the community together at the same time.”
Nighat Chudry, from East Oxford, added: “I have great sympathy for the flood victims so I came here to show my support.”
Mrs Howard, who brought cakes to sell from Ramsbottom in Lancashire, said: “Lucy is a vet on call a lot so she is very busy but when she decides to do something she really goes for it.”
Artists exhibiting and auctioning their work included Weimin He, a former artist-in-residence at the Ashmolean Museum, and Merlin Porter, 29, from East Oxford.
Mr Porter said: “I am auctioning a couple of life model paintings for about £15 each.
“All the artists met at life drawing classes at East Oxford Community Centre.
“When people buy the paintings, the proceeds go to the people of Pakistan, which is a very good cause.”
Demetrios Somarkis, 31, from Oxford Drum Troupe, added: “This is an incredible cause and it is bringing people together and raising awareness of the problems the flood victims are facing.”
The Regal’s assistant events manager Katie Stevens said the club gave a discount when it hired out its hall.
She added: “Niaz Ali, the manager, is from Pakistan, so he really supports this.
“There are eight local bands and 20 acts in open-mic slot.”
The Regal event is the latest in a series of fundraisers across Oxfordshire since August’s flood.
Collections at Friday prayers at mosques around Oxford raised more than £13,500.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here