STUDENTS and staff at Tavistock College, which has a partner school in Kathmandu, are appealing to the wider community in their effects to raise funds to help those affected by last weekend's major earthquake in Nepal.

It is only weeks since two teachers from Kathmandu visited Tavistock College, following an initial trip to Nepal taken by James O'Connell, head of sixth form and college principal Helen Salmon last year.

Mrs Salmon said: 'We saw at first hand the whole school taking part in an earthquake drill that could have saved many lives when the massive earthquake struck at the weekend.

'Nepal is a very poor country and its infrastructure was already fragile. Many people have died and survivors are sleeping out in the open. Many of the buildings we visited in stunning world heritage sites have been flattened.'

Tavistock College is raising funds to help people on the ground. The school is supporting ShelterBox to provide tents and life saving equipment to help people.

Mrs Salmon added: 'We are appealing to the wider community of Tavistock to support us with these efforts.  If you would like to help please donate to the ShelterBox charity or any other charities appealing for donations to help the people of Nepal.

'Please help. Our friends in Nepal are in dire need.'