TURKEY EARTHQUAKE APPEAL: CHARITY FUND TOPS pounds 500,000

READERS of the Independent and the Independent on Sunday have helped to raise more than pounds 500,000 for the hundreds of thousands of people made homeless by the earthquake that devastated north-western Turkey. Conditions for the survivors have worsened in recent days: after extreme heat, heavy rain has increased the misery of families forced by the destruction of their homes to live in tents.

The British Red Cross says it has been overwhelmed with the response to the appeal. It is using the money to provide emergency supplies, such as blankets, tents and medicine.