A woman with family roots in Pakistan says she has been left “heartbroken” by the scenes of devastation caused by flooding.
The floods triggered by torrential monsoon rain are the deadliest in the world since 2017, with more than 1,500 lives lost.
Untold amounts of damage has been caused to property and land, with the family of Watford’s Imtiaz Choudry badly affected.
Read more: Thousands raised locally for Penny Appeal to help people of Pakistan
The village in the Sanghar district where her grandparents lived and her mother’s family home lies is unrecognisable, while her uncles’ farmland has been destroyed by unprecedented levels of standing water.
Imtiaz said: “I’ve got so many memories and the village is so sentimental to me. The floods have wiped out farmland, crops like rice, corn, mustard seeds, sugarcane.
“My uncle’s home needs to be completely redone. They are going round in dinghies, women and children have had to leave livestock has been threatened. It is heartbreaking.”
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The mother-of-four has remained in contact with her family but says she could not stand by and doing nothing.
The company director, 50, explained: “I had signed up for walk at Durdle Door in Dorset - I had never done anything like that before.
“But I wanted a purpose for this trek, I wanted to turn this lovely walk into something even more meaningful."
She continued: “Coming from Pakistani heritage, it’s no surprise that these devastating floods have hit my family, and I wanted to do something about it.
“I thought it would be a waste if I didn’t try and raise money for my uncles. The money raised will buy food supplies and necessities to aid those affected.”
Imtiaz embarked on the 5km trek on September 17, admitting it was a challenge, but she conquered the hill and has raised £1,680.
She added: “I thought it was going to be a beginner’s trek! Thank you to all those connected to Mums Can Do and Hab Law and everyone else who has donated and supported.
“It has also been so encouraging to see all the humanitarian efforts around the world clubbing together to help this beautiful country at this devastating time.”
Imtiaz's Go Fund Me page can be found at https://bit.ly/3BQHdiJ
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