A Bradford restaurateur is heading to Pakistan taking £17,000 with him to buy aid for flood victims.

Peter Bashir, owner of Zouk Tea bar & Grill, will be taking the funds raised by businesses to make sure every penny goes directly to those who need it.

The money was pledged when 25 business leaders in the city and others from Leeds and Manchester met to form an emergency committee to raise funds.

Now the committee wants help from the public to boost the £17,000 raised so far.

Mr Bashir’s restaurant in Leeds Road is also being used as a collection point for donations and he will be giving daily updates from his mission via Radio Ramadhan.

He hopes to have set off by the weekend and is meeting his travel and any other expenses out of his own pocket.

More than 13 million people are now homeless without shelter and have been left penniless and hungry.

Mr Bashir said: “The government of Pakistan is struggling to cope with the disaster and there is little shelter or emergency provision available for the millions of destitute people who are now homeless. “With whole villages and residents marooned and farm animals left to die it could be weeks before aid is received by those most in need. The Pakistan Flood Committee is taking immediate action to ensure aid and relief will be given to the marooned families in a matter of days instead of weeks.”

At the end of Ramadhan, more money raised will also be taken out.

Other Bradford business people who are already supporting the appeal include Mehboob Hussain, of the Nawaab restaurant group, entrepreneur Mussadhick Hussain, who founded Kashmir Crown Bakery, Saleem Qadir, who owns Bombay Stores, and Mehrban Hussain from Radio Ramadhan-Bradford.

Any other businesses wanting to pledge support should call Haji Nazir on 07973 263860.

Donations can also be sent to the United National Bank at 5, Oak Lane, Bradford, BD9 4PU. The account name is the Yorkshire Charitable Trust and the branch sort code is 60-91-67.