A fund to help the survivors of the devastating earthquake is to be launched in East Dunbartonshire.

The East Dunbartonshire Haiti Appeal, set up by the council, will raise money and work with aid agencies to find a long-term project that will help the Haitian people rebuild their lives following the earthquake.

The council is keen to get the community and schools involved in the appeal.

Provost Eric Gotts said: "Councillors have expressed their support for an appeal in East Dunbartonshire and we will look to work with our schools and the wider community to raise money and develop a project to help the country longer term once the immediate disaster support situation stabilises."

Councillor Una Walker, convener of the council's education committee, said: "Our school communities have a strong tradition of giving generously to appeals to support tragedies such as this earthquake.

"We are writing to all head teachers to ask them to consider how they might support the people of Haiti through this fund."

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