School community rally for Venezuela after earthquake

A village primary school has rallied behind a local parent’s efforts to collect vital aid for Venezuela, following a devastating double earthquake.

St Mary’s Primary School in Broughton Gifford collected items to support parent Francisco Mora, who is Venezuelan and has an auntie and grandmother still living in the country.

Venezuela was struck by a deadly twin earthquake on 24th June that reached a 7.5 magnitude. Over 2,000 people have been killed, with thousands more injured and tens of thousands reported missing.

Following the disaster, Francisco launched the appeal, with St Mary’s Primary School among the collection points for items including hygiene and medical supplies, cleaning products and canned foods.

The packages were donated to the Venezuelan community in Bristol, where they have already been flown out to the country.

He said his family has been ‘lucky’ in the disaster. He said, “My auntie and grandmother are safe because they live about an hour away but they have reported that shopping malls and buildings have partially collapsed and the worst part is near the coast.”