A GROUP of women from the Hindu community have raised nearly £3,000 for the flooding victims of Kerala in India.

The women hired a church hall, booked musicians and traditional Raas Garba dancers, sold 200 tickets for the event and provided savoury Indian food in return for donations.

More than 250 people attended and a raffle with 15 donated prizes also added to the fundraising total which reached £2,700.

Kapila ben Parmar and Nutanben Patel were inspired after seeing the images of the devastating impact on people's lives that the floods caused. The death toll was 370 while a million people were displaced.

Kapila ben said: “This was a fantastic event, and I want to thank all the volunteers who helped make this event possible, it was truly a team effort.

"My friend Nutanben and I, on our daily keep fit walk were really distressed by the suffering of the poor people of Kerala, many who have lost everything they have worked for all their lives. We wanted to do something to make a difference and by holding this event we hope we have contributed."

All funds raised will go towards re-habitation and in medical camps via Sewa UK, an international charity which has a UK branch and works in partnership with volunteers in India.

Further information regarding the Kerala Appeal and Sewa UK can be found at sewauk.org.