AID donated by Hampshire residents and destined for victims of the Pakistan floods was due to begin its long journey today.

More than 350 boxes filled with basic survival essentials were being loaded onto a lorry bound for Heathrow Airport this morning, adding to 200 already sent out.

The Southampton Flood Relief Campaign, which began with a few families in Chandler’s Ford several weeks ago, has become a county-wide operation.

Members of the city’s Medina Mosque have formed a production line in the evenings to deal with the number of products coming through the door.

Organiser Mohammed Ansar, pictured below, said he was impressed by the response so far, but wanted to see greater involvement from those outside the Muslim community.

He said: “That’s what we really want to press – the fact that it’s a humanitarian crisis and we’re looking to those outside the Muslim community.

“However, Southampton is probably one of the biggest producers of aid going out of the south coast and that’s something to be said for the residents.

“People have come together and we’re punching way above our weight.”

The floods that hit Pakistan at the end of July killed around 2,000 people, but has left a further 1.2 million homeless and 20 million affected.

Mr Ansar said the aid packages will only last people a couple of days so inevitably more would be required.

The cardboard boxes contain items such as long-life milk, tinned food, small cartons of juice, bottled water, a single bed sheet, women’s sanitary products, dates, chocolate, high energy biscuits and, if possible, rehydration sachets.

Aid should be dropped off at the Medina Mosque, off St Mary’s Road, Southampton.

Alternatively, you can donate £10 at the mosque for an aid pack to be put together on your behalf.

For more information contact the Southampton Muslim Council on 023 8098 6998.