Prime Minister Rishi Sunak heard about the fundraising and collection efforts of our Turkish Society and wanted to come along to campus to thank the society and help pack boxes of donated essentials.
This has been a phenomenal student-led response. As soon as news broke of a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, our Turkish Society mobilised their community, collaborated with other student groups, and started supporting fundraising efforts for the relief effort.
In chilly temperatures outside the Print Room Café, the committee sold cakes and treats and collected more than £8,000 in two days. Thousands of people across the UCL community donated what they could and helped raise awareness of the crisis facing the people of Turkey and Syria.
On Thursday Turkish Society turned their attention to collecting vital supplies to send directly to those affected. Taking over the 1st Floor of the Bloomsbury Theatre building, the society collected enough supplies to fill 200 boxes being loaded to lorries early on Friday morning. Their work was noticed by the UK Prime Minister who came to help pack boxes at end of the day.
Eda Yildirimkaya, a committee member of Turkish Society, said:
“It was a complete surprise: the Prime Minister just turned up and said ‘you are doing a great, great job – we really appreciate your efforts. He then asked about our friends and families back home and said his thoughts and feelings were with us at this time.”
The PM bought his own relief parcel, which he added to the collection before helping pack boxes.
Turkish Society have inspired so many people to give generously to an essential cause. The devastation in Türkiye and Syria is unimaginable and everyone at the students' union is sending our love and condolences. If you can, please leave a donation, it’ll make a huge difference.
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