Hundreds of people gathered at a special meeting organised by the Lancashire Council of Mosques to discuss fundraising efforts.

The meeting came as people from all religions across the region are raising thousands of pounds for disaster relief.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Indonesian Embassy and local charities.

Ibrahim Master, Chairman of the LCM told us, "Mosques have already been collecting money from the congregations and this meeting was an opportunity to plan further activities and create interest among the community."

"It was also an opportunity for us to hear from aid agencies on how best we can help the victims."

There were calls from some individuals about taking the aid to the disaster zone themselves. However, the Indonesian embassy representatives urged people to leave that to the relief agencies as it is very difficult to get to much of the region.

Mosques are also due to organise a number of town centre collections in the area as well as stepping up fundraising activities at congregations.

Many children from Mosques have already been been organising fund-raising activites and donated thousands of pounds to the cause.

The National Hindu Forum Disaster Task Force has launched it's national campaign for Tsunami victims.

"Members of the HFB Disaster Task Force are already engaged in relief work in the affected areas of India and Sri Lanka," explained C B Patel, National Coordinator of the HFB Disaster Task Force. "Our appeal will help to raise funds for organisations that have a past history of engaging in rehabilitation work with zero administrative costs."

"This is the first time that Hindu organisations have united together in their aid efforts," commented Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain.

Activities locally have seen the Gujarat Hindu Society coordinating a door-to-door collection of funds in Preston.

£60,000 raised in six days

Volunteers from Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Batley and Nelson have already flown out to the disaster zone to distribute aid.

Luqman Ismail of Preston, Maulana Saeed Ahmad, Imam of Jamea Mosque, Preston; Maulana Rafiq Sufia of Blackburn, Bashir Kolia of Batley and Yasir Ahmed of Bolton Council of Mosques were one such group who have visited the region.

The six volunteers had been warned the problems they would encounter travelling to the region but were un-deterred.

Speaking to Asian Image from Manchester Airport, Luqman told us, "There are going to be difficulties no matter what but is is important for us to get this aid to where it is needed most."

"We are prepared for the worst."

Their mercy mission came after Mosques in Preston raised an amazing £60,000 in 6 days for the victims of the Tsunami. Similar amounts have been raised in mosques in other towns in the North.

The group, who are paying their own food and travel costs, are visiting stricken areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand to assess relief efforts on the ground and work locally in order to ensure that aid is targeted to where it is needed quickly.

Bilal Moreea of Jamea mosque in Preston said, "The response from the public has been overwhelming. This disaster has wiped out entire communities in Asia, but everyone in places like Preston have come together at this time of need and contributed generously, irrespective of race or religion. This is what community is about. I am very proud of everyone."

Abdullah Tapu, co-ordinator for the appeal effort said, "The public has been very generous but it has been difficult to get the aid to where it is needed in some of the worst hit areas."