ROTARIANS have raised thousands of pounds to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which hit the country on April 25, has killed 7,000 people and injured more than 10,000.

Thousands of aid workers from across the world have been helping with rescue operations.

Four Rotary clubs in Colchester along with the Kelvedon and District club organised street and supermarket collections and raised more than £5,000.

This included £500 raised by Heathlands Primary School, West Bergholt.

The money has gone to pay for shelter boxes, each of which contains a ten-person tent, sleeping bags, a water purification kit, a solid fuel fire and basic tools.

Each box costs £590 and can help sustain a family of ten for six months.

Rotary spokesman Ian McMeekan said, “The response has been overwhelming – locally and nationally. So many people have a high regard for the Gurkhas, who have served this country so well. Future funding, through Rotary and other organisations will be necessary to help re-build all these shattered communities.”