Vital medical supplies are to be sent to Libya’s sick and dying thanks to a Dundee charity that has raised almost £20,000 in recent weeks.
The Yusef Abubaker Memorial Trust has already sent a cheque for £9000, via Egypt, to help in five cities in the east of Libya and another £5000 is due to be delivered this week for use in cities in the west of the country.
Money raised at a lunch in Jerusalem Foodstore in Dundee’s Brown Street at the weekend totalled £740 and other donations are being received.
The Yusef Abubaker Memorial Trust was set up by the family of Yusef Abubaker, from Dundee, a 12-year-old boy, who died suddenly during football practice at Harris Academy in September 2007.
Yusef was one of four sons, and his grieving mother, Alison launched the trust determined to undertake charitable acts in his name.
The seriousness of the situation in Libya has been mirrored by the rush to donate to this cause, said Alison.
“It is critical that we offer some help as we’ve heard of surgeons having to operate on the injured without being able to offer anaesthetics,” she said.
“We have doctors and volunteers on the ground in Egypt already taking medical supplies across the border into Libya.
“We launched this appeal on February 17 and the response has been truly amazing with people donating from all over the UK.
“The money is being used only for medical and surgical supplies such as bandages, anaesthetics and blankets.
“We are also planning further fund-raising events in Dundee so our message is clear please help if you can in some way.”
Donations can be made via the Yusef Abubaker Memorial Trust website www.yusefabubaker.org.uk or the Facebook page.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user wedodcs.