Students and staff at the University of Edinburgh have raised more than £1,100 for the victims of the recent earthquake in Ecuador, by holding a cake sale and providing musical entertainment at one of its campuses.
The University’s Residence Life team, who help support students with community activities and advice, along with Ecuadorian students from across the university, raised £1,180 for ‘SOS Ecuador’ at the Holyrood campus in Edinburgh.
‘SOS Ecuador’ was created in mid-April after a powerful earthquake occurred on the north-western coast of Ecuador, killing 655 people and leaving thousands injured and without homes. Following the earthquake, hundreds of Ecuadorian students in the UK, with the support of the Ecuadorian Embassy, joined forces to found the charity with the aim of raising £50,000 for the country over the course of a month.
Residents and staff at Holyrood got together to bake a variety of cakes before taking to the streets to sell to other students and members of the public. Many of the students and staff members also brought along their instruments to play music for passers-by.
Lynne Duff, assistant director of Residence Life, said: “We are delighted to have raised so much money for the victims of such a devastating disaster in Ecuador. Our students at Holyrood were determined to get together and raise funds to support the project and we all wish SOS Ecuador every success in reaching its target and are proud to have rallied staff and students to help their worthy cause.