A DONATION has been made to local charity Help-in-Hands to better young lives in the village of Akköy, near Didim.

Michael and Sue Symmonds approached Voices Newspaper, asking on behalf of their friend Nagina Mahmood, who wanted to donate to a charity that helps children.

Voices recommended Help in Hands for this request and brought together Michael and Sue Symmonds and Lyn and Phil Cole from Help in Hands.

Lyn said their next project is related to a school in Akköy; the children there needed uniforms for the school’s sporting events.

She added: “The football jerseys of primary and secondary school children aged between 7 and 12 will be purchased. We will also prepare a football field, netball and basketball field. So the money will be used in a good way.”

Nagina is originally from France but moved to the UK with her family at the age of 8. She currently works at a nursing home in Middlesbrough, in the north of England.

Nagina, whose daughter had just married, felt obligated to help the children. So she asked her colleague, Michael Symmonds, to donate on her behalf to a trusted organization that helps children in Turkey.

Michael spoke about how difficult life was in Turkey for children at school and their families to afford uniforms and school books. He told Nagina that he was going to Didim on holiday and would find out how to donate the money.

The Symmonds then approached Voices and Nagina’s donation of £100 was given to the charity. The Coles thanked Nagina for the kind donation and also thanked Michael and Sue for presenting it.

Lyn also wanted to say a big thank you to Voices for their recent donation to Help-in-Hands.

Picture caption: Lyn and Phil Cole (far left) from Help-in-Hands, with Michael and Sue Symmonds, and our reporter Ruken (right).