Turkey Syria Earthquake: Falkirk cafe to donate takings to help families left homeless

A Falkirk cafe owner is donating his business’ takings on Valentine’s Day to help families affected by last week’s earthquake in Turkey.
By Fiona Dobie
Published 13th Feb 2023, 15:04 BST
Updated 14th Feb 2023, 12:42 BST
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Erdal Ozer, who runs The Allotment Cafe in the town’s Howgate Shopping Centre, will donate all of Tuesday’s takings to help people who have lost their homes in the disaster.

The local cafe owner has family in Turkey and he’s looking to do what he can to help those in the country who have seen their lives shattered as a result of the earthquake.

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He said: “I’m trying to help one or two families who have lost their home and everything in the earthquake. I want to help pay their rent or accommodation costs for a whole year.

Takings from Valentine's Day at The Allotment Cafe are being donated to help Turkish families left homeless following the earthquake last week. Pictured, from left: Emel Canturk, barista; Erdal Ozer, owner and Arturs Silovs, kitchen manager. (Pic: Michael Gillen)Takings from Valentine's Day at The Allotment Cafe are being donated to help Turkish families left homeless following the earthquake last week. Pictured, from left: Emel Canturk, barista; Erdal Ozer, owner and Arturs Silovs, kitchen manager. (Pic: Michael Gillen)
Takings from Valentine's Day at The Allotment Cafe are being donated to help Turkish families left homeless following the earthquake last week. Pictured, from left: Emel Canturk, barista; Erdal Ozer, owner and Arturs Silovs, kitchen manager. (Pic: Michael Gillen)

"We will give our daily takings from tomorrow to help, and I will top up the amount to be able to help families.

"I have helped lots of charities in Falkirk and Scotland in the past and this is my turn to do something for Turkey and people there.”

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday, February 6 while many were still asleep in their beds. Since then, further tremors have been felt in the region.Thousands have been killed and many more injured with thousands of buildings having collapsed.

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People have been left without shelter in winter conditions, and rescue teams have been searching through the rubble in the hope of finding survivors.

Thousands have been left homeless following last week's earthquake, which has also seen more than 30,000 killed. (Pic: Hassan Ayadi/AFP via Getty Images)Thousands have been left homeless following last week's earthquake, which has also seen more than 30,000 killed. (Pic: Hassan Ayadi/AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands have been left homeless following last week's earthquake, which has also seen more than 30,000 killed. (Pic: Hassan Ayadi/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdal will be travelling to Turkey soon and plans to meet up with the families he will be helping while he’s there.

He said: “I’m hoping to help with at least a year’s rent and give them some money for things like clothes too.

"I’d like to think we’ll be able to help one or two families.”

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The cafe owner has also expressed his gratitude to those who have been in touch with him in recent days and asked after his family.

He said: “I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your custom and thoughts, thinking of me and my family. I have received many messages and lots of visits from our community, asking ‘how’s your family?’. My family are well, thank you all.”

Related topics:TurkeyFalkirkPeopleSyriaScotland