The Sangat Centre, in Keighley, which united groups last month to raise money, has presented a cheque to a charity supporting the earthquake appeal.

The cheque for £859 was donated to the Save the Mothers Trust, based in Bradford, which was one of the first charities to act on giving aid to Asia.

The money was partly raised at an inter-faith evening held at the centre last month, organised by the Sangat Women's and Children's Group and the One Voice group.

People came together to enjoy a night of fasting and giving and the Powerful Whispers group came along to join in the event.

Lucy leads appeal concert

A teenage prodigy from Keighley is headlining a concert to raise money for the earthquake appeal.

Lucy McLellan, 18, who is originally from Blackhill and has just finished at the renowned Chetham's School of Music, in Manchester, will perform a solo piano and vocal recital at Keighley Shared Church.

Also performing are friends Carl Schofield, Christopher Ellis and Silsden-based Katy Smith, 16.

Lucy and Carl will perform music they recently played in a competition in Belgium, including pieces by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin and Scriabin.

Lucy will also be accompanying Katy, who will sing four songs, ranging from an Italian aria to "Wishing you were Somehow here Again" from Phantom of the Opera.

Lucy has just finished studying at Chetham's and is currently taking a gap year before she either goes to music college or studies medicine at university.

She has gained numerous first prizes in open and concerto classes in music festivals throughout the country. She has also represented the UK at an international concert for young talent in Graz, Austria, which was broadcast on television and radio.

Katy is a pupil at Bradford Girls Grammar School and obtained a distinction in the "Songs from the Shows" category at the Wharfedale Festival last year.

Lucy said: "I've done charity concerts before and I just got in touch with the church to do another one.

"The church was really helpful and we decided to donate the proceeds to the earthquake appeal."

The Rev Peter Mott, of Keighley Shared Church, said: "It's the best place for a concert in town, there are comfy pews instead of hard seats and I just hope people will be along and support what should be an interesting evening."

The concert takes place on December 3, starting at 7.30pm.

Programmes are £5 on the door and cheese and wine will be available.

Association collects £36,000

Residents in the Keighley district have donated more than £36,000 to the earthquake appeal organised by Keighley Muslim Association.

The association, which runs the Jamia Mosque in Emily Street, plans to hand the money to the Pakistan Consulate in Bradford.

Officials believe this will be the best way of getting money direct to the people who need it.

The donations came from individuals and businesses in Keighley, both from within the Asian community and the wider town.

The association kicked off the appeal with £1,000 just days after the earthquake and a further £8,500 was donated by people within hours.

The association was heartened by expressions of support and sympathy from across Keighley.

Mahboob Alam, secretary of the association, said the appeal had quickly beaten the £9,280 raised by the association following the Asian tsunami.

He said: "Wherever things happen in the world, we are ready to help."

Mr Alam said the association decided not to send its own representative out to Pakistan with the money, as originally considered.

He said: "If we give money to the government, they will give it to the right people. They are already working in the area."

Students join cause

Students and staff from a care course at Keighley College have raised £150 to help earthquake victims.

Inspired by two students with relatives suffering in the aftermath of the quake, they hosted an Eid feast. Businesses and other students were invited to donate.

Student Sheraz Hussain said: "It occurred to us that it would be a great way to ask for donations for the appeal from local business people.

"They gave generously, as did students from other courses. It made us all realise the enormous strength of good feeling among the students and the community."

Fellow student Shaftar Aksar said: "The cause was very dear to our hearts and it was lovely to work together for the common good."

Course tutor Vera Ostojic thanked the students for their commitment and hard work in raising the cash and paid tribute to Lesley Garthwaite, who was a major instigator of the fundraising. Vera added: "The students also wanted to develop links with people in the first year of the course -- they felt that fundraising together would give them a common purpose."

Organisors of the event are pictured, right.

More donations were given after the event to reach the total amount given.

Girls from the study sport group at the Sangat Centre were present to hand over the cheque.

A study sport worker at the centre said: "We have raised money before for the Save the Mother's Trust on a regular basis.

"It was a real team effort and everyone really enjoyed it."

The Sangat Centre is an organisation with a focus on the Asian community. It gives advice on benefits, care, disability, education, housing, immigration and racial harassment and holds project and study days.

There are English classes for women at the centre, a lunch club and seminars on health awareness and other topics.

Anyone wanting more information on the centre and its opening times can phone 01535 610263 or 691413.