London cruise agency sets up Turkey earthquake relief fund

Cruise specialist 7 Seas Holidays is aiming to raise £10,000 to provide relief to those affected by the Turkey earthquakes.

The southwest London agency, which is a member of Elite Travel Group, launched a JustGiving fundraising page on Wednesday (February 8) and is booking flights for medical professionals travelling to Turkey on behalf of the Humanity First UK charity.

The 7 Seas Holidays’ disaster relief appeal has so far raised £440 to support the charity’s relief efforts.

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Director Shakeel Ahmed said: “A lot of people have been affected and when we saw what had happened we felt that we had to do something. Turkey is one of our most popular destinations.

“We send around 100 customers there every year on a cruise-and-stay packages.”

Ahmed has already booked flights to the Turkish city of Adana for four medical professionals travelling on behalf of Humanity First.

“The money will help buy whatever they need,” Ahmed added. “There will be many small teams going to Turkey and I’ll be booking their flights.

“One team will come back and then a new team will fly out.”

The agency worked in partnership with Humanity First to raise £1,000 for the Pakistan flood relief effort last year.

“This time we want more support from our donors,” said Ahmed.

Pictured (from left): Ahmed and travel consultant Sajeel Ahmed