A Turkish native from Kells says he is "heartbroken" at the devastation caused by an earthquake in his country on Monday morning. Over 16 thousand people are now known to have died in the earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria.
Aydin Uyanik who owns Aydin's Turkish Barbers in Kells says he is in shock at what has happened and admitted he finds it difficult to watch the scenes of destruction on the news. The 7.8 magnitude quake is the most powerful tremor to have hit the region in at least a century, leaving up to 30 thousand injured and an unknown number trapped in the rubble.
When the 39 year old Turkish native received confirmation that his family was safe he decided he needed to take action. He put call out on social media appealing for donations of supplies for the victims of the disaster and says he is "overwhelmed" with the response. All donations will be brought to the Turkish Embassy this weekend so they can be sent over to the people most affected by Monday's Earthquake.
The local businessman was taken back by the support shown by locals following his social media post that he had to make a further appeal to say he wasn’t in a position to take any more donations due to the high volume brought to his town centre barbers. Aydin organised a collection service from his barbers in the town where people could drop off items that will be sent to Turkey to help people there at this very difficult time.
He says he was overwhelmed by the power of social media when he posted his appeal for help.
