BANBURY’S Asian community has launched a appeal to raise cash for the millions of people affected by floods in Pakistan.

So far about £2,000 has been raised for Flood Appeal Pakistan but now residents plan to step up fundraising initiatives.

The move comes as the Pakistan government says up to 20 million people have now been affected by the monsoon floods.

At least 1,500 are known to have lost their lives since torrential rains led to severe flooding more than a fortnight ago.

Health experts have also warned of the outbreak of disease in flood-hit areas.

Town, district and county councillor Alyas Ahmed said the flooding had touched the entire 5,000-strong Asian community.

He said: “These people in Pakistan are in desperate need. Millions are affected and they have no food, no home or shelter and have lost loved ones and cattle.

“Pakistan is not a country that will be able to look after these people as it has huge problems already.

“The Banbury community always put their hands in their pockets when needed — it doesn’t matter where in the world there has been a disaster.”

He said the majority of the Banbury Asian community were from the Kashmir area of Pakistan, but there were families who were originally from across Pakistan.

So far no one in the town has reported a relative involved in the actual flooding.

But the community is working together to raise as much cash as possible to help the flood victims.

Mr Ahmed said: “It’s the whole of Banbury, everyone is trying to help.

“It’s young people, old people — everyone is joining in.

“We are putting collection tins into businesses and organising street collections at supermarkets, the town centre and bus station.

“I would encourage everyone to please donate as much as they can. Every penny helps.

“If you see volunteers please give generously — we are doing everything we can to help.”

In the past fortnight, the community has hosted a football tournament at North Oxfordshire Academy and a family fun day Ash-Shifa School, Merton Street.

On Sunday, there will be a fundraising dinner at Woodgreen Hall, there are already collection points in both Banbury’s mosques in Merton Street and Park Road, and the group hope to send donation envelopes into the town’s schools.

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire-based charity Oxfam sent £45,000 aid to Pakistan from its Bicester warehouse last weekend. Anyone who wants to donate to the appeal should view dec.org.uk