Salisbury community rallies to send supplies to Turkey following devastating earthquakes
Local salon, The Hair Extension Cave, appealed for supplies, which it then transported to Turkey.
Last updated 8th Feb 2023
The Salisbury community has rallied together to send supplies to Turkey - following devastating earthquakes there, and in Syra.
The Hair Extension Cave on Silver Street, which has staff and customers affected, appealed for donations to send to the country.
The salon then organised for the goods to be transported to London, where Turkish Airlines were offering free cargo flights for aid.
"We've got such a good community."
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to staff member, Nazan Ketencimen, who has family and friends over in Turkey: "We found out, me and a few other Turkish friends in and around Salisbury, that Turkish Airlines are offering free cargo flights with equipment to be transported over.
"As you know, it's mid-winter, snowing, raining, so they were in need of urgent outerwear, clothes, shoes, baby items, blankets, duvets, which we were absolutely overwhelmed with, with the amount of people that this post reached out to.
"So we had literally more than half a sprinter van full of items which we were able to organise, label and send up to the Houndslow Turkish Community Centre, where they were officially labelled and straight cargoed to last night's Turkish Airlines flight.
"I was just expecting the odds, but even shop owners were bringing in brand new stuff, lots of sleep bags, items we didn't think of asking, that people have thought to bring to us, were amazing.
"We've got such a good community."
Owner, Molly Cook, says they're still asking for dried food items and formula, as they plan a second delivery of aid: "We're especially looking for dried food donations, nappies, toiletries, baby wipes, coats, things like that."
They've also asked for large boxes, packing tape and pens - so they can pack and label items, in both English and Turkish. There's more details on their Facebook page: facebook.com/thehairextensioncave
We also spoke to Turkish restaurant, Lalahan, on Fisherton Street, which said their chef is from the city of Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the earthquake.
They say they're following the rescue operations with pain and heartache - and appreciate local efforts to support people affected by this disaster.
The chef's long-distance family relations are said to still be trapped.
Lalahan is supporting the AHBAP fundraiser - which is raising money to send aid to Turkey and Syria.