A VISIT to Nepal just a fortnight before a massive earthquake hit the country has inspired a North Berwick man to raise money for the aid effort.

Ronnie Williams, of Lord President Road, spent a month in the Asian country last month, alongside friends Steve Hoare, David Smith, Derrick Jeffrey and his son, Darren, as part of a trekking holiday.

The devastating earthquake is thought to have claimed more than 5,000 lives, with many survivors in desperate need of food and water.

Ronnie and Steve both work at Torness Power Station, while David and Derrick previously worked there.

Ronnie, 62, told the Courier: “It is absolutely shocking to see what has happened.I showed photographs at work of all the amazing places, the temples etc and it is hard to believe that within six hours of the presentation it was all gone.” Next Thursday, (May 7) Ronnie will give a talk at Torness about what is happening in Nepal before hosting a collection the following day.

Meanwhile, Haddington Rotarians have agreed to donate £1,000 to help the victims of the earthquake.The group raises money throughout the year, which is distributed to good causes.They unanimously agreed to hand over some of that money, purchasing a ShelterBox, a Water Survival Box and an AquaFilter Community Box, to those impacted in Nepal.

Drew Ramsay, club president, said: “We are very pleased to be able to help and are like many other Rotary clubs contributing to the relief effort.”