SOUTHAMPTON students far from home have been pulling together to raise vital funds for earthquake victims in Turkey.
Students from the University of Southampton, originally from Turkey and Syria, have been ramping up collection efforts to help those in need.
They set up a stall outside Westquay and urged passersby to donate towards their cause on Sunday.
READ MORE: Turkish restaurant owner's anguish after losing contact with friends and family
Devastated volunteer and third-year PhD student, Furkan Uzan, told the Echo: "I don't have any relatives who live in that area, fortunately, but it doesn't mean that we are all okay.
"This is beyond imagination and really hard to believe.
"Children, women, and their babies are especially in a really tough position currently. It's a nightmare for them.
"Up to now, we really appreciate all the solidarity shown by people in the UK and other parts of the world. But we are still in very great need of help.
"This [fundraising] must continue because it is a long-run and the earthquake has caused a lot of damage."
The earthquake, affecting the southern states of Turkey and northern Syria, has killed more than 28,000 people.
Emergency services are still rescuing people trapped under fallen apartment blocks and high-rise buildings.
Another volunteer, from eastern Turkey, Ali Ulvi Sahin, said: "We're still deeply affected, and we can't even imagine what everyone else back home must be going through.
"For me, it took some time to sort of comprehend the impact of this disaster.
"Because we are a nation that gets earthquakes maybe every 10 years. So we're a little bit used to that." 
Ali, a second-year law PhD student at the university, added: "People weren't prepared for this earthquake.
"Some buildings were too old as well.
"Every time I check social media or the news, it's like beyond comprehension and understanding.
"Since we are far from home, there's not much we can do.
"But hopefully, our fundraiser will help make at least some impact."
Monday's earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 and is said to be the deadliest seismic event in more than a decade.
Survivors have been left homeless in freezing temperatures with next to nothing.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/universityofsouthamptonturkishstudents
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